Android (operating system)

Android is a way for phones to work.

It helps phones and tablets run apps. Many people use it every day.

Google owns this system. They make it work on touchscreens. You can touch the screen to use it.

It is the most used system in the world. Over three billion people use it. It is on many different kinds of tools.

Some tools use it for TV. Other tools use it in cars. It can even work on watches.

Android helps your device be smart. It can know where you are. It makes your phone very helpful.

Android is an operating system. An operating system is the main software that runs a device. It helps smartphones and tablets work.

Google owns Android. Most people use the version made by Google. This version comes with Google Mobile Services. These are tools like Google Chrome and the Google Play store.

Android is very popular. It is the most used system in the world. Over three billion people use it every month. It makes up 46% of the global market.

Android works on many things. It can run on televisions. It can run on watches. It even works in cars.

Android started in 2003. A company called Android Inc. was formed by Andy Rubin and Chris White. They first wanted to make software for cameras. Later, they began making software for phones. Google bought the company in 2005. The first phone with Android came out in 2008. It was called the HTC Dream.

Android is a very popular operating system used on mobile devices. An operating system is the main software that runs a device. Android was built for touchscreen tools like smartphones and tablets.

It is the most used operating system in the entire world. More than three billion people use it every single month. This means it makes up 46% of the global market.

There are different ways the software works. At its core is the Android Open Source Project, or AOSP. This version is free and open for anyone to use. However, most people use a version made by Google. This version includes Google Mobile Services, or GMS. GMS adds tools like Google Chrome and the Google Play store.

These tools help the device run many different apps.

The history of Android began in Palo Alto, California. A company called Android Inc. was started in October 2003. Andy Rubin and Chris White were the founders. They originally wanted to make software for digital cameras. Later, they decided to build software for phones instead.

In July 2005, Google bought the company for at least $50 million. Google leaders called this their best deal ever.

Android has changed a lot since it first arrived. The first phone to use it was the HTC Dream. This device was released in September 2008.

For a long time, Google named versions after sweet treats. They used names like Cupcake, Donut, and KitKat. They did this because these devices make life sweet. In 2019, they stopped this and used numbers instead. The version known as Android Q became Android 10.

Today, Android works on much more than just phones. The software can be found on many different things. It runs on Android TV for your television. It also runs on Wear OS for wearable items. You can even find Android Automotive for use in cars.

Some people even use it on virtual reality headsets. It is a very flexible system for many devices.

Android is a massive operating system used primarily for touchscreen mobile devices. It powers a vast variety of smartphones and tablet computers across the globe.

An operating system is the essential software that manages a device's hardware and allows applications to run. Android is currently the most widely used operating system in the world. It maintains a massive installed base with over three billion monthly active users. This represents 46% of the total global operating system market.

The technical foundation of Android is built upon the Linux kernel. This kernel is a core part of the software that manages computer resources. At the center of the ecosystem is the Android Open Source Project, or AOSP. AOSP is free and open-source software licensed under the Apache License. This means developers can study and change the code freely.

However, most consumer devices actually run a proprietary version developed by Google. This version includes Google Mobile Services, or GMS. GMS provides essential closed-source tools like Google Chrome and the Google Play digital distribution platform. It also includes Google Play Services to help developers build apps. Google also recommends using Firebase Cloud Messaging to handle push notifications for users.

Because the core software is open, many different versions of Android exist. Some manufacturers create their own customized user interfaces. For example, Samsung uses a suite called One UI to change how the software looks and feels. There are also entirely different distributions of the software. Amazon offers Fire OS, which is a modified version. The community has also created LineageOS. The Android source code is so flexible that it works on many different types of hardware. It powers Android TV for televisions and Wear OS for wearable technology. It even runs Android Automotive for in-car systems. Some commercial products, like micro consoles and virtual reality headsets, use it too.

The history of Android began in Palo Alto, California, in October 2003. Andy Rubin and Chris White founded Android Inc. to build software for digital cameras. They eventually pivoted to mobile phones at the suggestion of Nick Sears. This change was meant to create a rival to Symbian and Microsoft Windows Mobile. Early on, the company struggled to find investors and almost lost its office space. A friend named Steve Perlman provided $10,000 in cash and more funding later. In July 2005, Google acquired the company for at least $50 million. Google executives later called this acquisition their best deal ever. The original team, including Rubin, joined Google as part of the sale.

Developing the software required significant changes due to new competition. An early prototype looked like a BlackBerry with a physical keyboard. However, the arrival of the iPhone in 2007 forced the team to start over. They changed their specifications to ensure touchscreens were supported. The first commercial smartphone to run the system was the HTC Dream, also known as the T-Mobile G1. It was announced in September 2008.

To support the platform, the Open Handset Alliance was formed in 2007. This group included Google, hardware makers like Samsung and HTC, and carriers like T-Mobile. Their goal was to create a truly open platform for mobile devices.

For many years, Google followed a unique naming tradition for its updates. After the first two versions, they began naming releases after desserts in alphabetical order. This included names like Cupcake, Donut, Eclair, and Froyo. In 2013, Google explained that they used dessert names because these devices make lives sweet. This tradition continued through versions like KitKat. However, this practice ended in 2019. Google decided that dessert names were not inclusive for an international audience. Consequently, the version known as Android Q was officially branded as Android 10.

Android has also been used to drive hardware innovation through specific programs. In 2010, Google launched the Nexus series to introduce new software and hardware standards. These devices were known for being "bloat-free" and receiving timely updates. Later, the Google Play edition program offered specific versions of phones like the Samsung Galaxy S4. Google also attempted the Android One project in 2014. This was designed to provide high-quality, low-cost phones for consumers in developing countries. Eventually, Google moved toward its own hardware with the Pixel smartphone line. These devices were designed to showcase specific features like the Google Assistant.