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Android OS vs Linux Kernel: What are the differences?

## Introduction

1. **Architecture**: While the Linux kernel serves as the foundation of the Android operating system, Android includes higher-level software layers and frameworks tailored specifically for mobile devices. This customized architecture allows Android to optimize performance and battery life on smartphones and tablets.

2. **User Interface**: One significant difference between the Android OS and Linux Kernel is the user interface. Android features a graphical user interface designed for touchscreens, offering users a visually appealing and intuitive experience. In contrast, the Linux kernel is primarily command-line based, intended for developers and experienced users who prefer a more technical interface.

3. **Hardware Support**: Android OS incorporates device-specific drivers and support for various hardware components commonly found in mobile devices, such as cameras, sensors, and touchscreens. These drivers are not included in the Linux kernel by default, making Android more user-friendly for consumers who may not have technical expertise in configuring hardware components.

4. **Security Features**: Android OS includes built-in security features, such as sandboxing applications, permission controls, and secure boot mechanisms, to protect user data and prevent malware attacks. While the Linux kernel also offers security features, Android enhances these measures to address unique mobile security challenges, such as app permissions and data privacy.

5. **Ecosystem Integration**: Android is part of a comprehensive ecosystem that includes Google Play Store, Google services, and third-party app developers. This integration allows users to access a wide range of apps, games, and services, enhancing the overall user experience. In contrast, the Linux kernel focuses on providing a stable foundation for various operating systems and distributions, without the extensive ecosystem integration seen in Android.

6. **Customization and Fragmentation**: Android OS allows device manufacturers and users to customize the operating system, resulting in a wide range of Android versions and device configurations. This customization can lead to fragmentation, where different devices run varying versions of Android with unique features and capabilities. The Linux kernel, while customizable, is more standardized across different distributions, reducing fragmentation but also limiting flexibility for customization.

In Summary, the Android OS builds upon the Linux kernel with a customized architecture, user-friendly interface, hardware support, enhanced security features, ecosystem integration, and customization options, tailored for mobile devices.
Decisions about Android OS and Linux Kernel
Jennifer Briston

Netdata introduces Linux eBPF (Extended Berkeley Packet Filter) monitoring. With this enabled, monitor real-time metrics of Linux kernel functions and actions from the very same monitoring and troubleshooting dashboard used for watching entire systems, or even entire infrastructures.

This collector uses eBPF to monitor system calls inside your operating system’s kernel. For now, the main goal of this plugin is to monitor IO and process management on the host where it is running.

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Pros of Android OS
Pros of Linux Kernel
  • 4
    Customization
  • 3
    Google
  • 3
    Open Source
  • 3
    Material Design
  • 3
    Not Apple
  • 1
    Play Store
  • 1
    Easier to install APK’s
  • 1
    Reliable
  • 1
    Secure
  • 1
    Google Assistant
  • 1
    Sometimes you just have to write your own drivers
  • 1
    The best

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What is Android OS?

It is a mobile platform which powers phones, tablets, watches, TVs, cars etc. It makes doing business easier, in the office or out in the field. Manage entire fleets of devices with a touch. Keep corporate data protected with built-in security. And help your employees get more done.

What is Linux Kernel?

Development on the LInux kernel.

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Blog Posts

Nov 20 2019 at 3:38AM

OneSignal

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What are some alternatives to Android OS and Linux Kernel?
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Android provides a rich application framework that allows you to build innovative apps and games for mobile devices in a Java language environment.
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It is the operating system that presently powers many of the mobile devices, including the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. It is designed to make your iPhone and iPad experience even faster, more responsive, and more delightful.
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JavaScript
JavaScript is most known as the scripting language for Web pages, but used in many non-browser environments as well such as node.js or Apache CouchDB. It is a prototype-based, multi-paradigm scripting language that is dynamic,and supports object-oriented, imperative, and functional programming styles.
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