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SMS andMMS are available forms ofmessaging, including threadedtext messaging and Android Cloud To Device Messaging (C2DM) and now enhanced version of C2DM, Android Google Cloud Messaging (GCM) is also a part of Android Push Messaging services. Android phones also have the ability to send and receiveRCS via the messages app (if supported by the carrier).
Autocorrection and Dictionary
Android featuresautocorrection, when any word is misspelled, then Android recommends the meaningful and correct words matching the words that are available in dictionary. Users can add, edit, and remove words from dictionary as per their wish.[4] It is also possible to turn autocorrect off completely.
Google search through voice has been available since initial release.[6] Voice actions for calling, texting, navigation, etc. are supported onAndroid 2.2 onwards.[7] As ofAndroid 4.1, Google has expanded Voice Actions with ability to talk back and read answers from Google'sKnowledge Graph when queried with specific commands.[8] The ability to control hardware has not yet been implemented. The implementation of a AI chatbot is also present competing with many other companies.
Multi-touch
Android has native support formulti-touch which was initially made available in handsets such as theHTC Hero. The feature was originally disabled at the kernel level (possibly to avoid infringing Apple's patents on touch-screen technology at the time).[9] Google has since released an update for theNexus One and theMotorola Droid which enables multi-touch natively.[10]
Multitasking
Multitasking of applications, with unique handling of memory allocation, is available.[11]
Screen capture
Android supports capturing ascreenshot by pressing the power and home-screen buttons at the same time.[12] Prior to Android 4.0, the only methods of capturing a screenshot were through manufacturer and third-party customizations (apps), or otherwise by using a PC connection (DDMS developer's tool). These alternative methods are still available with the latest Android.
TV recording
Android TV supports capturing and replaying TV recordings.[13]
Video calling
Android does not support native video calling, but some handsets have a customized version of the operating system that supports it, either via theUMTS network (like theSamsung Galaxy S) or over IP. Video calling throughGoogle Talk is available inAndroid 2.3.4 (Gingerbread) and later. Gingerbread allowsNexus S to place Internet calls with a SIP account. This allows for enhancedVoIP dialing to other SIP accounts and even phone numbers. Skype 2.1 offers video calling in Android 2.3, including front camera support. Users with theGoogle+ Android app can perform video chat with other Google+ users throughHangouts.
Built-in text-to-speech is provided byTalkBack for people with low or no vision. Enhancements for people with hearing difficulties are available, as are other aids.
Supports voice dialing and sending contacts between phones, playing music, sending files (OPP), accessing the phone book (PBAP),A2DP andAVRCP. Keyboard, mouse and joystick (HID) support is available in Android 3.1+, and in earlier versions through manufacturer customizations and third-party applications.[15]
Tethering
Android supportstethering, which allows a phone to be used as a wireless/wiredWi-Fi hotspot. Before Android 2.2, this was supported by third-party applications or manufacturer customizations.[16]
Symbol used byAndroid on some devices to denote an Ethernet connection
Ethernet
Supports connecting internet to a phone viaethernet cable using aUSB-C adapter.[17]
RTP/RTSP streaming 3GPP PSS,ISMA, HTML progressive download (HTML<video> tag). Adobe Flash Streaming (RTMP) and HTTP Dynamic Streaming are supported by theFlash plugin.[18] Apple HTTP Live Streaming is supported byRealPlayer for Android,[19] and by the operating system since Android 3.0 (Honeycomb).[20]
Most Android devices include ultraSD card slots and can read microSD cards formatted with theFAT32,Ext3 orExt4 file systems. To allow use of external storage media such asUSB flash drives andUSB HDDs, some Android devices are packaged withUSB-OTG cables. Storage formatted withFAT32 is handled by theLinux Kernel vFAT driver, while 3rd party solutions are required to handle some other file systems such asNTFS,HFS Plus andexFAT.
While most Android applications are written inJava, there is aJava virtual machine in the platform and Java byte code is not executed. Java classes are compiled into Dalvik executables and run on usingAndroid Runtime or inDalvik in older versions, a specialized virtual machine designed specifically for Android and optimized for battery-powered mobile devices with limited memory and CPU.J2ME support can be provided via third-party applications.
Handset layouts
The platform works for various screen sizes from smartphone sizes and to tablet size, and can potentially connect to an external screen, e.g. throughHDMI, or wirelessly withMiracast. Portrait and landscape orientations are supported and usually switching between by turning. A2D graphics library,3D graphics library based onOpenGL ES 2.0 specifications is used.
Android apps are hosted on a specific website path and load instead of the website itself. They are part-apps and load almost instantly without the need for an installation. One of the first apps being developed with such functionality is theB&H app.[21][22][23]
Desktop mode
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