Android

Introduction to Android Development. Let’s take this step by step, like we’re sitting together with a coffee, chatting about why Android is such a cool platform to build for in 2026.

What is Android?

Android is an open-source mobile operating system primarily developed by Google (though it’s maintained by the Android Open Source Project — AOSP — with contributions from many companies). It’s the software that powers the majority of smartphones, tablets, watches, TVs, cars (Android Auto), and even some refrigerators or car infotainment systems around the world.

Think of it this way:

• It’s free for device manufacturers to use and customize.
• It runs on a Linux kernel at its core.
• It supports a huge range of hardware — from cheap budget phones to high-end flagships like Google Pixel, Samsung Galaxy, OnePlus, Xiaomi, and many more.
• In 2026, Android still dominates globally with ~70-75% market share (iOS takes most of the rest).

What makes Android special is its openness: manufacturers can heavily customize it (hello, Samsung One UI, Xiaomi HyperOS, Oppo ColorOS), and developers can build apps that reach billions of devices.

A Quick History of Android

Android didn’t start with Google — it began as a small startup project in 2003 by Andy Rubin, Rich Miner, Nick Sears, and Chris White. They wanted to create a smarter mobile OS. Google bought the company in 2005 and turned it into what we know today.

Key milestones:

• 2008 → First commercial release: Android 1.0 (on the HTC Dream / T-Mobile G1). Very basic — no app market yet.
• 2008-2010 → Early dessert names: Cupcake (1.5), Donut (1.6), Eclair (2.0–2.1), Froyo (2.2).
• 2010-2013 → Gingerbread (2.3), Honeycomb (3.0 – first tablets), Ice Cream Sandwich (4.0), Jelly Bean (4.1–4.3).
• 2013-2018 → KitKat (4.4), Lollipop (5.0 – Material Design!), Marshmallow (6.0), Nougat (7.0), Oreo (8.0), Pie (9.0).
• 2019 onwards → Google dropped dessert names publicly (started with Android 10) → Android 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 (2023), 15 (2024).
• Big change in 2025 → Google switched to two major releases per year:
  • Android 16 (“Baklava”) → Stable release in June 2025.
  • Then a follow-up major update later in the year (sometimes still under the 16 umbrella or as 16.x with new APIs).

As of January 2026:

• The latest stable version is Android 16 (API level 36), with quarterly feature drops and security patches (like the January 2026 security bulletin that just rolled out).
• Google Pixels usually get it first, then Samsung, OnePlus, etc., follow in the coming months.
• Android 17 is expected around June 2026.

The platform keeps evolving fast — better privacy, foldable/tablet support, AI features (Gemini integration), desktop-like modes on larger screens, and improved battery/performance.

The Android Ecosystem in 2026

It’s huge and interconnected:

• Devices → Phones, tablets, foldables, Chromebooks (with Android apps), Wear OS watches, Android TV/Google TV, Android Automotive (cars).
• Google Play Store → Over 3.5 million apps, strict policies now (especially around privacy & AI).
• Alternative stores → Amazon Appstore, Huawei AppGallery, Samsung Galaxy Store, sideloading still possible.
• Developer tools → Android Studio (now with Gemini AI coding help built-in), Firebase (backend), Jetpack libraries.
• Fragmentation → Still exists, but Google Play system updates + longer support (7 years on Pixels, 7 on Samsung flagships) make it much better than 5-10 years ago.

Core Android App Components (The Building Blocks)

Even in 2026 with Jetpack Compose as the modern way to build UIs, apps are still made of these classic components (declared in the AndroidManifest.xml):

• Activity → A single screen with a user interface. Example: Your login screen, home feed, settings page. Most apps start here. (Lifecycle: onCreate → onStart → onResume → …)
• Service → Runs in the background without UI. Example: Music playback, location tracking, downloading files. (Foreground, background, or bound services.)
• Broadcast Receiver → Listens for system-wide or app events. Example: Battery low, boot completed, incoming call.
• Content Provider → Manages shared app data (like contacts or your custom database). Lets other apps query your data safely.
• Intent → The messaging object that glues everything. Starts activities, services, sends broadcasts.

In modern apps (especially with Compose):

• You mostly build single-activity apps using Jetpack Navigation → one main Activity hosts multiple composable screens (like fragments, but better).
• UI is declarative with Compose instead of XML + View system.
• Jetpack libraries handle most heavy lifting (ViewModel, LiveData/Flow, Room, WorkManager, etc.).

Why Kotlin Over Java in 2026?

Google officially declared Kotlin the preferred language for Android back in 2017–2019, and by 2025–2026 it’s basically won:

Bottom line in 2026: Unless you’re maintaining very old Java code, start with Kotlin. It’s more fun, safer, and faster to write. Most official codelabs, documentation, and new libraries are Kotlin-first.

Hands-on: Explore the Android Ecosystem Right Now

1. Download Android Studio → Go to https://developer.android.com/studio → Install the latest (2025.x or 2026.x versions have excellent Compose support + AI tools).
2. Create your first project → Open Android Studio → New Project → “Empty Activity” (Compose) → Language: Kotlin → Minimum SDK: API 24 or 26 (covers ~95% devices) → Finish.
3. Run it
   • Use the emulator (Pixel 8 or Foldable to see modern form factors).
   • Or connect your real Android phone (enable Developer Options + USB debugging).
4. Play around
   • Open MainActivity.kt — see the @Composable fun Greeting() — that’s modern Android UI in 5 lines!
   • Change the text, add a Button, run again.
   • Explore folders: res/drawable (icons), AndroidManifest.xml, build.gradle.kts.
5. Bonus exploration
   • Open an emulator → Settings → About phone → See your Android version.
   • Install “Google Play Services” updates if needed.
   • Browse https://developer.android.com/ → Courses → Android Basics with Compose.

You’ve just dipped your toes into the ecosystem! In the next chapters, we’ll build real screens and logic.

Questions so far? Want me to explain any part deeper (like Activity lifecycle in detail or why coroutines rock)? Just say the word. You’re going to build awesome stuff — let’s keep going! 🚀