Posted on 2012 under Guest Blog | Comments are off
What is Android?
We hear it everywhere these days and there is no getting away from it. So what really is Android? No it’s not just an alien but Android is an operating system that powers millions of phones, tablets, and other devices in much the same way that PC’s and laptops run Microsoft Windows and brings the power of Google and the web into your hands.
Before I get started, it’s important to remember that unlike some of the other popular Smartphone operating systems out there such as Apple iOS and BlackBerry RIM, Android can run on multiple devices ranging from a wide range of manufacturers such as Samsung, Sony Ericsson and HTC. Android has an amazingly fast web browser, cloud sync, multi-tasking, easy ways to connect & share and the latest Google apps (and thousands of other apps available on Android Market) your Android powered device is beyond smart.
So, let’s start at the beginning. There have been several different versions of Android since it came to the market and each version is named in alphabetical order after a dessert. The most recent versions from the last couple of years are Android Gingerbread 2.3, Android Honeycomb 3.0, Android Honeycomb 3.1, Android Honeycomb 3.2 and the very latest Android Ice Cream Sandwich.
Smartphones and tablets run different versions of Android. Currently, Android Honeycomb 3.2 is the latest version for tablet devices. The reason that tablet devices run a different version to smartphones is because it’s specifically designed for devices that have larger screens. Other features on the latest version of Honeycomb is a new “zoom-to-fill” screen compatibility mode and loading media files directly from an SD card.
Android Ice Cream Sandwich Features
The most up to date Android OS version is Ice Cream Sandwich which was released in October 2011 brought all the features you find on Android Honeycomb straight to smartphones and added extra features like facial recognition unlock, unified social networking contacts, photography enhancements and app folders. You can discover more in our previous article. Now that you’ve had a history lesson on all things Android, let’s start taking a look at some of the design features.
Android Design and Features
The coolest feature with Android has to be its ability to house multiple home screens. These home screens can store things like shortcuts to your favourite apps, or you can even install widgets. I know what you’re asking yourself right now, what on earth are Widgets? Well, Widgets are small programs that can be used to perform lots of small functions such as displaying social media updates from popular sites like Facebook and Twitter. You can even control your music, or a photo stream! Android allows you to be as flexible as you want to be!
From your home screen you can navigate easily to your main App roll from the bottom bar. Here you can view all of the applications that are installed on your Android Smartphone. The App roll can be controlled with touch gestures, just like your home screen. You can use your finger to scroll through all the apps and then tap them to open and enjoy. The whole Android experience is simple, quick and easy.
What is Android Marketplace?
I mentioned apps previously, but probably the biggest highlight of using an Android Smartphone is the ability to download apps from their massive Android Marketplace; with over . After a few small steps in setting up a Google account, you will gain access to thousands of apps, under hundreds of different categories. You can pick from Games, Books and even Movies. What else could you ask for?
So if you’re sitting on the fence about getting an Android Smartphone, then don’t be. It’s a very easy and intuitive Smartphone operating system, and differently a whole lot of fun. And now that you know what is Android, have a look our latest on mobiles.co.uk
Last month, Google revealed that their total number of downloaded Android apps had . The largest slice of the app pie went to games, with a staggering 25.6% of all apps downloaded, that’s 2,560 million games downloaded so far. Phew. Here’s our rundown of the top 5 free Android games available on the market at the moment.
5 – Zombie Dash
At the time of writing, this game holds the number 1 spot on the freebie Android games chart, having toppled the mighty Angry Birds from its pedestal. The secret of the Android games success is down to two things. The first aspect is its simplicity – you have two moves at your disposal, jump and shoot. The second aspects is zombies. People like zombies. Especially when you can shoot them. When jump and shoot is combined with zombies, you have a winning formula, as 5 million Android games downloads have so far confirmed.
Like this games app? Download from the free Android games chart.
4 – Pool Master Pro
Pool has always been a popular game subject whatever the platform, and the Android games version continues the trend with its 10 million downloads. Offering practice modes, as well as options to play against a friend or the computer, simply add a pint of lager and bowl of stale peanuts to recreate your local pool hall as accurately as possible without ever leaving the house.
Like this games app? Download from the free Android games chart.
3 – Fruit Slice
There has been much debate over the two fruit based slicing games currently available. Fruit Slice and offer a very similar setup; various items of fresh fruit fly through the air as you swipe the touchscreen to split each item of your potential five-a-day. The plentiful produce is occasionally punctuated by Looney Tunes style bombs, which you have to avoid or its game over. It may sound dull, but it’s hugely addictive stuff. On the Android games chart, Fruit Ninja has the highest placing (although they both have 10 million downloads), but we suspect that this is just down to it having the better name. Ninjas are cool – ‘nuff said. Judged on the games themselves, however, Fruit Slice is the clear victor. It offers more games on the app itself, much better graphics, and a smoother gameplay. If you have a spare fifteen minutes to waste though, either of the two will pass the time nicely.
Like this games app? Download from the free Android games chart.
2 – Words With Friends
This game is essentially Scrabble, but slower, which doesn’t necessarily sound too exciting, but stay with us on this one. The slow nature of the game is essentially its unique selling point, as it’s great for taking out on your afternoon break, playing your go, and then forgetting about it until later. The game consists of a Scrabble style set-up where you make words with the lettered tiles you are given, trying to use the double/triple letter/word squares to hit maximum points. As the title suggests, you can connect with your favourite social networking site to challenge your friends, or select random player in order to take on a mystery opponent from anywhere in the world. It would appear that ‘Words with Friends or Stangers’ just wasn’t as catchy a title. Either way, it has 10 million downloads to date.
Like this games app? Download from the free Android games chart.
..And number 1 of our Android games – Angry Birds
Probably the most popular smartphone game ever, with a mere 50 million downloads at the time of writing, our number 1 spot goes to those perturbed avians, the Angry Birds. It’s a total mystery as to why they are quite so angry, or why they take out their frustration by loading themselves into slingshots in order to systematically assassinate a race of green disembodied pigs with a penchant for flimsy architecture, but they just do. Spawning a series of themed sequels and special editions, such as the Halloween and Rio editions, and their very own merchandising line in the real world, the Angry Birds seem pretty unstoppable… especially if you’re a pig with no legs..
Like this games app? Download from the free Android games chart.
But why take our word for it, all Android games mentioned are free of charge so log onto the Android Market and check them out for yourself.
Prefer portable console gaming to Android games apps? Check out our blog on the soon to be released . If you’ve played these free Android games, let us know what you think of them on our page. Find out more about .
