ANDROID: Android is a software package and linux based operating system for mobile devices such

as tablet computers and smartphones.

It is developed by Google and later the OHA (Open Handset Alliance). Java language is mainly
used to write the android code even though other languages can be used. The goal of android
project is to create a successful real-world product that improves the mobile experience for end
users. There are many code names of android such as Lollipop, Kitkat, Jelly Bean, Ice cream
Sandwich, Froyo, Ecliar, Donut etc which is covered in next page.
OPEN HANDSET ALLIANCE(OHA): It's a consortium of 84 companies such as google,
samsung, AKM, synaptics, KDDI, Garmin, Teleca, Ebay, Intel etc.
It was established on 5th November, 2007, led by Google. It is committed to advance open
standards, provide services and deploy handsets using the Android Platform.
Features of Android:
) It is open-source.
2) Anyone can customize the Android Platform.
3) There are a lot of mobile applications that can be chosen by the consumer.
4) It provides many interesting features like weather details, opening screen, live RSS (Really
Simple Syndication) feeds etc.
It provides support for messaging services(SMS and MMS), web browser, storage (SQLite),
connectivity (GSM, CDMA, Blue Tooth, Wi-Fi etc.), media, handset layout etc.
Categories of Android applications:
There are many android applications in the market. The top categories are:
 Entertainment
 Tools
 Communication
 Productivity
 Personalization
 Music and Audio
 Social
 Media and Video
 Travel and Local etc.
Programming Languages used in Developing Android Applications
1. Java
2. Kotlin
Developing the Android Application using Kotlin is preferred by Google, as Kotlin is
made an official language for Android Development, which is developed and maintained
by JetBrains. Previously before Java is considered the official language for Android
Development. Kotlin is made official for Android Development in Google I/O 2017.
Advantages of Android Development
 The Android is an open-source Operating system and hence possesses a vast community
for support.
 The design of the Android Application has guidelines from Google, which becomes
easier for developers to produce more intuitive user applications.
 Fragmentation gives more power to Android Applications. This means the application
can run two activities on a single screen.
 Releasing the Android application in the Google play store is easier when it is compared
to other platforms.
Disadvantages of Android Development
 Fragmentation provides a very intuitive approach to user experience but it has some
drawbacks, where the development team needs time to adjust to the various screen sizes
of mobile smartphones that are now available in the market and invoke the particular
features in the application.
 The Android devices might vary broadly. So the testing of the application becomes more
difficult.
 As the development and testing consume more time, the cost of the application may
increase, depending on the application’s complexity and features.

Android Architecture and Working:

Android architecture is categorized into five parts:
1. linux kernel
2. native libraries (middleware),
3. Android Runtime
4. Application Framework
5. Applications
Let's see the android architecture first.
 1) Linux kernel
It is the heart of android architecture that exists at the root of android architecture. Linux
kernel is responsible for device drivers, power management, memory management,
device management and resource access.
2) Native Libraries
On the top of Linux kernel, there are Native libraries such as WebKit, OpenGL,
FreeType, SQLite, Media, C runtime library (libc), etc.
The WebKit library is responsible for browser support, SQLite is for database, FreeType
for font support, Media for playing and recording audio and video formats.
3) Android Runtime:In android runtime, there are core libraries and DVM (Dalvik
Virtual Machine) which is responsible to run android application. DVM is like JVM but it is
optimized for mobile devices. It consumes less memory and provides fast performance
4) Android Framework
On the top of Native libraries and android runtime, there is android framework. Android
framework includes Android API's such as UI (User Interface), telephony, resources,
locations, Content Providers (data) and package managers. It provides a lot of classes
and interfaces for android application development.
5) Applications
On the top of android framework, there are applications. All applications such as home,
contact, settings, games, browsers are using android framework that uses android
runtime and libraries. Android runtime and native libraries are using linux kernal.
Mobile User Interface(UI)?
The mobile user interface or mobile UI refers to the visual and interactive elements that
users interact with on their mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets. It includes
the layout, navigation, buttons, icons, typography, and overall aesthetic design of the
mobile application or website. The mobile UI is the primary touchpoint between the user
and the digital product, shaping their perception and experience.
A well-designed mobile UI should be intuitive, visually appealing, and optimized for the
unique characteristics of mobile devices, including smaller screen sizes, touch-based
interactions, and varying device capabilities. It should prioritize simplicity, clarity, and
ease of use, ensuring that users can effortlessly navigate and accomplish their desired
tasks.
Types of Mobile User Interfaces(UI)
Onboarding Screen:
This screen helps the new users to understand the app better.
Home Screen:
Home Screen is the main screen of any app. It is the screen that is opened when an
application is launched.
Login Screen:
Login screens are the pages that helps the users to create their account on the
application.
Splash Screen:
Splash Screens are the screens that are displayed when any application is launched.
App Screen:
App Screens are all the screens of an application. They include showing information and
interacts with user.
Design Mobile User Interface?
Here is a step by step approach for designing a professional mobile UI:
Step 1: User Research
The first step in designing mobile UI is to conduct user research which will help you
gain deep insights into your target audience's needs, preferences, and behavior patterns
on mobile devices. This can involve methods such as surveys, interviews, user testing,
and analytics data analysis. Understanding your users' goals, pain points, and context of
use will inform your design decisions.
Step 2: Define User Flows
In the next step, based on the user research findings, map out the user flows and create
detailed wireframes or prototypes to visualize the user journey and interactions. This
will help you identify potential pain points, streamline the navigation, and ensure a
seamless user experience.
 Step 3: Design for Mobile (mobile first design)
Mobile first design as the name suggests is about designing any application, website, or
piece of software keeping mobile-friendliness as the main priority and making sure that
the design is compatible with smaller screens. In this approach we start with designing
the application or website for smaller screens in order to make the application or the
website more scalable and reach out to a larger number of audience. In the next step of
designing mobile UI will we use mobile first principles like Minimalism, Gesture
Interactions, Thumb Friendly Design, Content Prioritization and Typography, etc. in our
design.
Step 4: Prioritize Usability
The next step is to focus on creating a user centric design that prioritizes usability,
accessibility, and intuitive interactions. Leverage established design patterns and follow
platform specific guidelines (e.g., iOS Human Interface Guidelines, Material Design for
Android) to ensure consistency in your design.
Step 5: Prototype and Test
Next, create interactive prototypes using tools like InVision, Adobe XD, or Marvel.
Conduct user testing sessions with representative users, and gather feedback on the
usability, navigation, and overall experience. Iterate and refine the mobile UI based on
the insights gained from testing.
Step 6: Continuous Improvement
The final step in the process of designing mobile UI is to take feedback from the users
and iterate accordingly. Treat mobile UI design as an ongoing process. You have to
regularly gather user feedback, analyze usage data, and iterate on the design to address
pain points of your users.
Importance of Mobile UI
The importance of mobile UI cannot be overstated in today's digital landscape. The
importance of mobile UI can be understood under following points:
 User Experience: A well designed mobile UI can significantly enhance the user
experience, which leads to increased satisfaction, engagement, and loyalty.
 Brand Perception: The mobile UI is often the first touchpoint between users and your
brand, therefore, it shapes the initial impressions and perception of the brand.
 Competitive Advantage: In a crowded market, a compelling and user friendly mobile
UI can give you a competitive edge, attracting and retaining users.
 Accessibility: Designing for mobile devices ensures that your product or service is
accessible to a wider audience, including those who primarily use mobile devices.
 Communicate your mission: The visual elements along with the copywriting takes the
major part of communication for the brand. To communication you mission and your
product/service - you will have to do these to things right which are a major part of
mobile UI.
Designing any mobile UI Required:
 Simplicity:
 Follow minimalism in your design and focus on presenting only the most essential
information and features to avoid cluttering the mobile UI.
 Responsive Design:
 Ensure that your mobile UI adapts seamlessly to different screen sizes and device
capabilities, providing a consistent experience across platforms.
 Intuitive Navigation:
 Implement clear and intuitive navigation patterns, leveraging familiar gestures and
interactions to enhance usability.
 Accessibility:
 Design with accessibility in mind, ensuring that your mobile UI is usable by users with
varying abilities and disabilities.
 Performance Optimization:
 Optimize your mobile UI for performance, this will ensure that your application is
smooth and responsive even on lower end devices.
 Iterative Testing:
 Make sure to test and gather feedback from users continuously, and keep on refining
and improving the mobile UI using the insights you gain from users.