WHAT IS AN ANNDROID PHONE
What is an Android mobile phone?
An Android phone is a powerful, high-tech smartphone that runs on the Android operating system (OS) developed by Google and is used by a variety of mobile phone manufacturers.
Pick an Android mobile phone and you can choose from hundreds of great applications and multitask with ease.
You’ll also get regular software updates that add great new features to your smartphone.
Which handsets run Android?
The Android operating system is developed and owned by Google.
However, it’s not exclusive to the Google branded nexus ange of phones.
In fact, Android powers a host of handsets from some of the biggest mobile manufacturers.
These include HTC,Samsung,Sony,Motorolla and LG, many of whom have enjoyed tremendous critical and commercial success with mobile phones running the Android operating system.
What Is the Android Operating System?
The Android operating system is a mobile operating system that was developed by Google (GOOGL) to be primarily used for touchscreen devices, cell phones, and tablets. Its design lets users manipulate the mobile devices intuitively, with finger movements that mirror common motions, such as pinching, swiping, and tapping. Google also employs Android software in televisions, cars, and wristwatches—each of which is fitted with a unique user interface.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- The Android operating system was developed by Google (GOOGL) for use in all of its touchscreen devices, tablets, and cell phones.
- This operating system was first developed by Android, Inc., a software company located in Silicon Valley before it was acquired by Google in 2005.
- While the Android source code is released in an open-source format to help advance open standards across mobile devices, it is still packaged with proprietary software when sold on handset devices.
Understanding the Android Operating System
The Android operating system was first developed by Android, Inc., a software company located in Silicon Valley before Google acquired it in 2005. Investors and electronics industry analysts have questioned Google’s true intentions for entering the mobile market space since that acquisition. But in any case, soon thereafter, Google announced the impending rollout of its first commercially available Android-powered device in 2007, although that product actually hit the marketplace in 2008.https://c2ad441b452e88d91c77bc682c3b5d90.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html
Since then, software and application developers have been able to use Android technology to develop mobile apps, which are sold through app stores, such as Google Play. And because it is developed as a Google product, Android users are given the opportunity to link their mobile devices to other Google products, such as cloud storage, email platforms, and video services.
The Android source code is released in an open-source format to help advance open standards across mobile devices. However, despite being released as “open,” Android is still packaged with proprietary software when sold on handset devices.
Features of Android
Android is a powerful operating system competing with Apple 4GS and supports great features. Few of them are listed below −
| Sr.No. | Feature & Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Beautiful UIAndroid OS basic screen provides a beautiful and intuitive user interface. |
| 2 | ConnectivityGSM/EDGE, IDEN, CDMA, EV-DO, UMTS, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, LTE, NFC and WiMAX. |
| 3 | StorageSQLite, a lightweight relational database, is used for data storage purposes. |
| 4 | Media supportH.263, H.264, MPEG-4 SP, AMR, AMR-WB, AAC, HE-AAC, AAC 5.1, MP3, MIDI, Ogg Vorbis, WAV, JPEG, PNG, GIF, and BMP. |
| 5 | MessagingSMS and MMS |
| 6 | Web browserBased on the open-source WebKit layout engine, coupled with Chrome’s V8 JavaScript engine supporting HTML5 and CSS3. |
| 7 | Multi-touchAndroid has native support for multi-touch which was initially made available in handsets such as the HTC Hero. |
| 8 | Multi-taskingUser can jump from one task to another and same time various application can run simultaneously. |
| 9 | Resizable widgetsWidgets are resizable, so users can expand them to show more content or shrink them to save space. |
| 10 | Multi-LanguageSupports single direction and bi-directional text. |
| 11 | GCMGoogle Cloud Messaging (GCM) is a service that lets developers send short message data to their users on Android devices, without needing a proprietary sync solution. |
| 12 | Wi-Fi DirectA technology that lets apps discover and pair directly, over a high-bandwidth peer-to-peer connection. |
| 13 | Android BeamA popular NFC-based technology that lets users instantly share, just by touching two NFC-enabled phones together. |
Android Applications
Android applications are usually developed in the Java language using the Android Software Development Kit.
Once developed, Android applications can be packaged easily and sold out either through a store such as Google Play, SlideME, Opera Mobile Store, Mobango, F-droid and the Amazon Appstore.
Android powers hundreds of millions of mobile devices in more than 190 countries around the world. It’s the largest installed base of any mobile platform and growing fast. Every day more than 1 million new Android devices are activated worldwide.
This tutorial has been written with an aim to teach you how to develop and package Android application. We will start from environment setup for Android application programming and then drill down to look into various aspects of Android applications.
Categories of Android applications
There are many android applications in the market. The top categories are −
If you really want to try them out, your best bet may be to Google your phone’s make and carrier + “USSD” for a tailored, comprehensive list.
Field Mode: *3001#12345#*
Type *3001#12345#* into your phone’s dialer and then press the green call button to access “Field Mode,” which can give you access to info about local networks and cell towers.
You’ll probably never ever have to know about your local cell tower’s “Measured RSSi,” but it’s fun to look around for a bit.
General Test Mode: *#0*#
It works on Android. This prompts a library of different phone operations, which could be operated with a single push (e.g. Sleep, Front Cam, Vibration).
Display your IMEI: *#06#
To access it, type in the above code, and then the green call button to prompt your IMEI number.
The IMEI is unique to your device. Among other things, the number can help “blacklist” stolen devices or help with customer support.
Check Your Call Forwarding: *#67#
This code allows you to check which number your phone is currently forwarding calls to when you’re busy or reject a call.
By default, this is probably your carrier’s voicemail service, but you can change it to forward to a different number (a home number, office number, or third-party answering service for example). On an iPhone, you can change this number by going to Settings > Phone > Call Forwarding. On Android (varies from system to system), tap the Phone app > hamburger icon > Settings > Call > More Settings > Call forwarding
Get Even More Info on Call Forwarding: *#61#
On Galaxy phone, this code prompted a pop-up that explain how long until a call is forwarded to the message center. On the iPhone, regardless of carrier, this code just show the same info as *#67# .
Check Your Available Minutes: *646#
Apparently this one only works on postpaid plans. It work on Galaxy phone. Instead of showing the info on a new screen, it send to the phone a text message.
Check Your Bill Balance: *225#
On Android it prompt a SMS message with current balance due.
Hide Your Phone From Caller ID: #31#
Works on Android. But entering this code prompted a pop-up stating that Caller ID had been disabled. In order to re-instate Caller ID, enter *31# .
Check Your Billing Cycle: *3282#
Works on Android. It prompt an SMS message with billing info.
SMS Message Center: *5005*7672#
This code will tell you your SMS message center number.
Activate Call Waiting: *43#
This code will activate call waiting; you can deactivate it by entering #43#.
Quick Test Menu (Samsung Galaxy Only) *#7353#
This code only works on Samsung Galaxy models. This is similar to the General Test mode mentioned earlier, in that it brings up a menu with a number of one-tap test prompts.
Firmware (Samsung Galaxy Only) *#1234#
Only works on Galaxy devices. But it will let you know your phone’s current firmware. So, have fun with that.
Codes working with most of cell phones
These code should work with most cell phones. Some may not be usable depending on the provider.
| Code | Function |
| press 1 for longer than one second | Dial mailbox number (mailbox number must bve specified in the settings) |
| press # for longer than one seconds | Activate/deactivate silent profile |
| *#0*# | Can get into the service menu on modern smartphones |
| *#06# | Display the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) |
| #31#[number][dial] | Dial with own number being not displayed (replace [number] with the number to dial) |
| *31#[number][dial] | Dial with own number being dispalyed (replace [number] with the number to dial) |
| *#33*[dial] | Show status call locks |
| *43#[dial] | Turn on tall waiting |
| #43#[dial] | Turn off call waiting |
| *#43#[dial] | Show status of call waiting |
| *135#[dia] | Request own number (often does not work) |
| **04*[old Pin]*[new Pin]*[new Pin]# | Change Pin (do not enter [ and ]) |
| **05*[PUK]*[neue Pin]*[neue Pin]# | Unlock Pin (do not enter [ and ]) |
| **042*[old Pin2]*[new Pin2]*[new Pin2]# | Change Pin2 (do not enter [ and ]) |
| **052*[PUK]*[new Pin2]*[new Pin2]# | Unlock Pin2 (do not enter [ and ]) |
| *#0000# | Display Software Version (Nokia and Samsung devices) |
Codes for charges:
| Codes | Function |
| *100#[Dial] | Request number and balance (Prepaid) |
| *101#[Dial] | Request number and balance (Prepaid) |
SMS:
Send SMS delayed:
Enter at the start of the SMS the text
*Later [seconds]#
and replace [secconds] with a number e.g. 10 for 10 seconds
Examplel:
*Later 30#Hello see you soon
Do not forget the space between later and the seconds!
This does not work with all providers.
Android Generic Hidden Codes
To enter these codes just pull up the default dialer app and use your chubby fingers to press the correct buttons.
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| *#*#4636#*#* | Display information about Phone, Battery and Usage statistics |
| *#*#7780#*#* | Restting your phone to factory state-Only deletes application data and applications |
| *2767*3855# | It’s a complete wiping of your mobile also it reinstalls the phones firmware |
| *#*#34971539#*#* | Shows completes information about the camera |
| *#*#7594#*#* | Changing the power button behavior-Enables direct poweroff once the code enabled |
| *#*#273283*255*663282*#*#* | For a quick backup to all your media files |
| *#*#197328640#*#* | Enabling test mode for service activity |
| *#*#232339#*#* OR *#*#526#*#* | Wireless Lan Tests |
| *#*#232338#*#* | Displays Wi-Fi Mac-address |
| *#*#1472365#*#* | For a quick GPS test |
| *#*#1575#*#* | A Different type GPS test |
| *#*#0283#*#* | Packet Loopback test |
| *#*#0*#*#* | LCD display test |
| *#*#0673#*#* OR *#*#0289#*#* | Audio test |
| *#*#0842#*#* | Vibration and Backlight test |
| *#*#2663#*#* | Displays touch-screen version |
| *#*#2664#*#* | Touch-Screen test |
| *#9090# | Diagnostic configuration |
| *#872564# | USB logging control |
| *#301279# | HSDPA/HSUPA Control Menu |
| *2767*3855# | Format device to factory state |
| *#9900# | System dump mode |
| *#*#7780#*#* | Reset the /data partition to factory state |
| *#7465625# | Access phone lock status |
| *#12580*369# | Software and hardware details |
| *#*#0588#*#* | Proximity sensor test |
| *#*#3264#*#* | Ram version |
| *#*#232331#*#* | Bluetooth test |
| *#*#7262626#*#* | Field test |
| *#*#232337#*# | Displays bluetooth device address |
| *#*#8255#*#* | For Google Talk service monitoring |
| *#*#4986*2650468#*#* | PDA, Phone, Hardware, RF Call Date firmware info |
| *#*#1234#*#* | PDA and Phone firmware info |
| *#*#1111#*#* | FTA Software version |
| *#*#2222#*#* | FTA Hardware verion |
| *#*#44336#*#* | Displays Build time and change list number |
| *#06# | Displsys IMEI number |
| *#*#8351#*#* | Enables voice dialing logging mode |
| *#*#8350#*#* | Disables voice dialing logging mode |
| ##778 (+call) | Brings up Epst menu |
Testing Menu Code
The *#*#4636#*#* code is the most common one that people will use. There’s quite a bit of information you can pull up in this hidden menu.
Call diversion
Call diversion when busy:
| Code | Function |
| **67*number# | Divert to the given number |
| #67# | deactivate call diversion |
| ##67# | Erase call diversion |
| *#67# | Request status for call diversion |
Call diversion in case the handset is turned off or has not coverage:
| Code | Function |
| **62*number# | Divert to the given number |
| #62# | deactivate call diversion |
| ##62# | Erase call diversion |
| *#62# | Request status for call diversion |
Call diversion for not responding
| Code | Function |
| **61*number**x# | Divert to the given number aber x seconds (x=5,10,15,20,25,30) |
| #61# | Deactivate call diversion |
| ##61# | Erase call diversion |
| *#61# | Request status of call diversion |
Call diversion for all conditions above:
| Code | Function |
| *#004*number# | Divert to the given number |
| #004# | Deactivate call diversion |
| ##004# | Erase call diversion |
| *#004# | Request status for call diversion |
Always divert:
| Code | Function |
| *#21*number# | Always divert to given number |
| #21# | Deactivate call diversion |
| ##21# | Erase call diversion |
| *#21# | Request status for call diversion |
Erase all call diversions:
| Code | Function |
| ##002#[dial] | Remove all call diversions |
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