The Android application Development and the Internet of Things Ecosystem

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Among the most popular device and operating systems today, Android is the most used and the most popular. The operating system is used by half of the population in the world. This is all due to the numerous benefits that it provides.

Mobile technology has changed communication in a phenomenal way. In today’s digital age, there are more and more mobile users than personal computer users. Mobile technology has opened up new avenues for each company to connect and to reach out to their target audience. Android devices are the most use and most popular.

There are many mobile app developers that cater to Android app services. Service companies have expert teams of Android developers, who possess updated knowledge of the latest trends and releases, which help deliver world-class applications.

WHY IS ANDROID SO POPULAR?
Without doubt, Android is very popular indeed. Furthermore, an Android application development company is highly sought after to build highly useful applications. What makes the operating system extremely popular? The most obvious reason for the popularity of Android and app development is because it is free. Android, right from the day of its release choose to be free and Google would keep it free in the future. This caught the attention of hardware manufacturers worldwide, to bring out affordable smart phones that would be powered by a free operating system, which is the Android.

Being free, it enabled Google to join hands with a lot of many leading hardware manufacturers and produce a truly intelligent smart phone. Furthermore, Android is also open source. Unlike other mobile OS’s which are protected by various copyrights and laws, Google has decided to keep Android open. It enable a big pool of active and talented developers, whether working with a mobile app development company or freelancers all over the world to contribute their best to the operating system. With numerous intelligent brains working for the systems, newer and fresher ideas were generated and implemented.

HOW ANDROID IS USED IN THE INTERNET OF THINGS
The IoT or the internet of things is here and growing fast. Put simply, the internet of things refers to the growing interconnectedness of various smart devices over the web. The devices feature internet connectivity and sensors, which lets them receive, gather and transmit information.

Many deices already have hit the market and a lot more are set to be released as app developers work towards more connectivity of electronic devices in offices and in homes. Now, one could easily control the TV, refrigerator, treadmill or toaster from a smart phone. Nonetheless, the internet of things is possible only as a result of the availability of the platform wherein these devices could operate, and thus enter Android.

WHY ANDROID HAS BEEN THE MAJOR DRIVING FORCE BEHIND IOT
A quick look at the market reveals that most smart devices run on Android. Anyone who is familiar with smart phones is familiar as well with the operating system. Currently, it is the world’s leading mobile device operating system, edging out iOS. The OS war did not stop with smart phones. The battle for the top is being fueled now by the growing demand for interconnected devices and Android leads the charge. The Internet of Things world is being made and managed for Android.

There are numerous reasons why Android and Android app development is the forefront of IOT:

1. Android is a universal front end where developers could work. The operating system has quickly risen as a software platform mostly because Google opt to give it away to developers as well as device makers. The Linux-based software is open source, thus allowing anybody to use the source code and thus customize it for use in just about any device and gadget they have in mind. The number of devices relying on Android today are many. With such big numbers running on Android, it’s easy to see how Android acts as the front end for the internet of things. It’s cheap and easy to develop for IoT, making them much more affordable for consumers.

2. Applications drive IoT. A gadget is only a gadget. Nevertheless, with the right application and software to help run it and do various asks, it becomes a whole lot more. Application are what makes it possible to use internet of things devices. Android currently is the biggest platform in the world. It’s not surprising that Android drives the IoT movement.

3. IoT is built on Java. A lot of IoT devices are being made on Java. Therefore it makes sense that Android is driving the internet of things market. Android enables Java to be applied in such a way that makes sense, in contrast to the use of embedded Java which needs dedicated devices.

THE ANDROID IOT ECOSYSTEM
To understand the app for Android in IoT, one should understand the ecosystem of the internet of things as well as Android’s role in it.

THE SENSOR
Sensors detect physical properties, like temperature and generate digital signals. A lot of hardware vendor rely on certain domains, like Android, Linux and Windows. The availability and popularity of Android makes it an easy winner in this category. The fact that Android is open source and could be tweaked to use in any device makes it a popular choice among device makers.

DEVICE
There has to be a processor or device with an OS that supports the IoT ecosystem components. This ought to be portable and small, which does not use up too much power, but could provide continuous connectivity. In a lot of instance, affordable Android devices are chosen for this. Android devices meet the requirements for supporting a huge range of sensors. Also, there are different tutorials available to help developers.

DATA TRANSFER
There should be a component that supports data transfer from the sensor. The two simplest options available are XMPP and MQTT. Android supports both open source implementations. The libraries could be used on Linux, Windows and Android.

PROGRAM
There should be a program that receives and stores data. This could take the form of a standard Linux serer. The server receives data, then decode and processes it. Data could be utilized for subsequent analysis.

Without doubt, Android is the major driving force behind internet of things devices.

Dhrumit Shukla
TatvaSoft
Dhrumit Shukla has been working as Business Development Manager in a software development company named TatvaSoft since 5 years. He is profoundly skilled and well experienced in providing software development services on various technologies ranging from Microsoft .NET to JAVA, SalesForce, BizTalk, SharePoint, PHP, Open Source, iOS, Android, Pentaho and the list goes on.

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