Chapter 2. Introduction to Different Android Platforms

The first commercially released Android device was the HTC Dream. In 2008, this mobile phone introduced a new Linux-based operating system, Android. Since then, thousands of manufacturers have been using Android for their devices. At first, Android became popular among mobile operating systems such as Symbian, Java ME, Blackberry, and iOS. New generation technology had a demand for a new, lightweight, user-friendly, and affordable operating system. Android fulfilled these requirements, and gained its momentum faster than Blackberry and other competing operating systems.

According to the latest market study, in the first quarter of 2016, Android holds 76% of the market share, which itself explains its success. With the passage of time, Android has expanded its territory from mobile to other useful hardware platforms like tablets, televisions, watches, consoles, and so on.

In this chapter, we will explore these platforms from the perspective of game development. Let's have a quick look at the topics we are going to cover:

• Exploring Android mobiles
• Exploring Android tablets
• Exploring Android televisions
• Exploring Android consoles
• Exploring Android watches
• Development insight on Android mobiles
• Development insight on Android tablets
• Development insight on Android television and STB
• Development insight on Android consoles
• Development insight on Android watches
• Each platform has its own specialty
• Going cross-platform for the same game
• Required limitation measurement before design

We will try to understand all platforms and their details in order to develop games. The modern world has witnessed that games are now not just limited to PCs or consoles. They have become a part of almost everything. So, it is very important for Android game developers to have a decent knowledge of all possible hardware that might be useful for gaming, and which opens up opportunities for few more.