The Economic Impact of Google Android

Android is a mobile operating system based on the Linux kernel, a free and open-source software. It is designed for touchscreen mobile devices.

Open-source nature

While Google’s Android OS is open source, the company has kept it’s core secretive. For example, it is not known who maintains the project. Instead, most of the work is carried out in a web-based software management system called Gerrit.

However, the open-source nature of Google’s Android isn’t limited to the operating system. It includes the Android App Store, which has around 700,000 apps available for download. Moreover, the operating system has been ported to many devices. These include refrigerators, point-and-shoot cameras, and even smart televisions.

The open-source nature of Google’s mobile OS has made it a target for hackers and malware developers. As a result, many users are uncomfortable with how Google treats their phones. Some also feel that Google is changing the underlying features of the Android OS.

Another implication of Android’s open-source nature is that it has created a collaborative ecosystem open to various users. This allows manufacturers to play a much more significant role in the software’s development.

Pre-installed apps

Pre-installed apps on Google Android devices represent a severe privacy and security risk to users. Researchers found that these apps often use third-party libraries to perform tracking or advertising.

The researchers also found that these apps could access sensitive geo-location data. Some of the apps even came with malware.

These pre-installed apps have the potential to track users and send data to advertisers and analytics vendors. For instance, the Messages app from Google shares usage information with Google Analytics.

In addition, some of these apps come with specific “back doors” that allow them to access personal information and data stored on the device. They can also secretly send information back to the manufacturer.

Aside from being a peril to user privacy, these pre-installed apps can affect the device’s overall functionality. They can also run in the background without the user’s knowledge. Moreover, unlike other apps, they cannot be removed.

To remove pre-installed apps from your Android phone, you can either root your device and delete them from the device or uninstall them from the Google Play Store. However, this is not a convenient option for all users.

Security updates

If you own an Android phone, you know how important it is to stay up-to-date with the latest security updates. Thankfully, Google does a great job of keeping the platform up-to-date.

For those unfamiliar with the term, security updates are a series of patches addressing the most severe vulnerabilities on an Android device. They are primarily intended to keep smartphones secure from malicious actors.

Although some newer phones get regular updates, many devices still lag. You need to download the latest security patches as soon as possible.

You can find the latest security update by swiping down on the home screen, scrolling down the system settings, or checking your notification panel. In addition to Google’s updates, your manufacturer may also provide software updates.

While Android has a robust set of security features, several high-severity vulnerabilities could still affect your device. The Google Security Bulletin is a good resource for a complete list of vulnerabilities.

Economic impact

The economic impact of Google Android has grown significantly over the past few years. For one, it has helped bring a more competitive environment to the smartphone market. This allows manufacturers to grow, and it also creates jobs. In Europe, it is estimated that the apps sector will contribute EUR63 billion to the economy by 2018.

As of 2013, the apps sector is still in its infancy. However, it has already contributed over 1.2 million jobs to the European economy.

Several factors contribute to this growth. One of them is the growth of the mobile advertising industry. As a result, advertising providers are investing significant resources in the Android platform.

Google’s competitors on the Android platform are extensive and established firms. They have not yet taken advantage of the new licensing options. Therefore, they may not be able to achieve higher profits.

The Android ecosystem has also helped manufacturers develop and distribute their software. This allows developers to make a living from their passions.