Android Features

        Free and Open Source
        Familiar and Inexpensive Development Tools
        Freely Available Software Development Kit
        Familiar Language, Familiar Development Environments
        Reasonable Learning Curve for Developers
        Enabling Development of Powerful Applications
        Rich, Secure Application Integration
        No Costly Obstacles to Publication
        A “Free Market” for Applications
        A New and Growing Platform. 

Free and Open Source platform

=>Android is an open source platform. Neither developers nor handset manufacturers pay royalties or license fees to develop for the platform.

=>The underlying operating system of Android is licensed under GNU General Public License Version 2 (GPLv2), a strong “copyleft” license where any third-party improvements must continue to fall under the open source licensing agreement
terms.

=>The Android framework is distributed under the Apache Software License (ASL/Apache2),
which allows for the distribution of both open- and closed-source derivations of the source code.

=>Commercial developers (handset manufacturers especially) can choose to enhance the platform without having to provide their improvements to the open source community.

=>Developers can profit from enhancements such as handset-specific improvements and redistribute their work under whatever licensing they want.

=>Developers can write open source freeware or traditional licensed applications for profit and everything in between.

Familiar and Inexpensive Development Tools

=>Developer doesn’t require registration fees, vetting, and expensive compilers, there are no upfront costs of developing Android applications.

Freely Available Software Development Kit

=>The Android SDK and tools are freely available.

=>Developers can download the Android SDK from the Android website after agreeing
to the terms of the Android Software Development Kit License Agreement.

Familiar Language, Familiar Development Environments.

=>Eclipse is the most popular IDE for Android development, and there is an Android plug-in available for facilitating Android development.

Reasonable Learning Curve for Developers

=>Android applications are written in a well-respected programming language: Java

=>Developers can rely on familiar class libraries (java.net, java.text..)..

=>Specialty libraries for tasks such as graphics and database management are implemented using well-defined open standards such as OpenGL Embedded Systems (OpenGL ES) or SQLite.

Enabling Development of Powerful Applications

=>The manufacturer would grant the developer privileged inside access and knowledge of a handset’s internal software framework and firmware.

Rich, Secure Application Integration

=>Text messaging, phone dialer, camera, email, picture, messaging, and the browser.

=>Each was a separate application running on the phone— some built-in and some purchased.Each had its own unique user interface.

No Costly Obstacles to Publication

=>Android applications have none of the costly and time-intensive testing and certification programs required by other platforms such as BREW and Symbian.

A “Free Market” for Applications

=>Android developers are free to choose any kind of revenue model they want.

A New and Growing Platform

=>In recent revisions, the Android platform has received some much needed UI “polish,” both in terms of visual appeal and performance.

=>A number of published applications have required retesting and resubmission to the Android Marketplace to conform to new SDK requirements, which are quickly rolled out to all Android phones in the field as a firmware upgrade, rendering older applications obsolete.