Android devices are ruling the smartphone market for a long time. No other operating system, even the Apple iOS, is as popular as the Google Android. However, it was only 10 years ago when the first smartphone running on Android 1.0 was launched in the market, but its popularity spread like wildfire and is now world’s most popular operating system for mobile devices. All this is possible because of the smooth and easy to use interface coupled with seamless performance and obviously it supports a vast number of applications. Another major decision of Google, which makes Android this much popular is to make Android an open-source operating system. Google made Android available for third-party phone makers, which makes it possible for Android devices to reach every hand.
Android has defeated many of its competitors and they now stand nowhere in front of it. These competitors include the popular BlackBerry, Symbian, Palm OS, web OS, and Windows mobile operating system. The only major competitor to Google Android is Apple IOS. IOS is still giving a good fight to Android and this situation is not likely to change anytime soon.
Android Inc. was founded much before the release of Apple iPhones. Android Inc. company was founded by Rich Miner, Chris White, Andy Rubin and Nick Sears in the year 2003. One of its founders said during a press conference that Android Inc. will develop smarter mobile devices which are better aware of its owner’s preferences and location.
Android Inc. was born with a vision of changing the world of mobile devices and it really succeeded in its mission. Android allows its users to make the best possible use of their devices because of the easy to use interface, which one can understand and use from the very first time.
Most of the people don’t know that Android OS was originally developed for the purpose of improves the operating system of cameras and not mobile phones. It was developed to improve the functioning of digital cameras. It allows digital cameras to connect wirelessly with computers.
No even think at first that this OS will become immensely popular and will serve as the heart of mobile computing devices. The focus of Android Inc. shifted from digital cameras to cell phones because of a decline in the market of standalone digital cameras. So the company shifted its gears from cameras to mobile phones. According to Andy Rubin, it is the exact same operating system which was built for digital cameras became Android OS for mobile phones and tablets.
After around two years, Google showed interest in purchasing the Android Company. The owners agreed and they sold Android Inc. to Google. Google on acquiring the company changed its name to Google Android. Rubin and other founders of Android continued to develop the Android operating system under the name of its new owners.
Google then decided to make use of Linux as the basis for Android. This allows the company to make the Android operating system as an open-source software. This means Google allowed third-party phone manufacturers to make use of Android OS in their mobile phones for free. The company made such a decision because it felt that they can make money from other sources like the apps using the operating system.
Even after selling the Android Company to Google Rubin and other members of his team keep on working for the betterment of Android. Rubin was appointed as the head of the Android team and he supervises everything. In 2014 Rubin finally left Google and he launched his own startup.
It was November 2007 a few months after the release of Apple’s first iPhone Google started revealing information about its latest operating system for mobiles. Google made an alliance with popular phones and chip manufacturers and carriers to support the launch of Android.
In a press meet the Google CEO was quoted saying that “today we are going to unveil a platform which will power thousands of mobile phone models”.
Google then launched the public beta of Android 1.0 mobile for its developers on the 5th of November 2007. Under the code name “Sooner” they also developed an internal reference handset. This handset was never released in the market.
After checking and solving all the issues and bugs of Android OS, Google finally released its first Android mobile in September 2008. The phone was known as the T-Mobile G1. It was also called as HTC Dream in certain other parts of the world.
The HTC Dream was a 3.5-inch touch screen mobile phone, which also has a QWERTY keypad. Design wise the phone is not that good looking and it received bad reviews from technology media.
However, the Android version 1.0 running inside the device has already started creating its name. Google has also added many other products and services of the company on these mobiles, which include YouTube, Google Maps, and Google Chrome, etc. Of course, it also has the first version of Google App store the Paly store which contains a number of applications for the users.
After that, the company came up with an updated version of Android 1.1 in February 2009. The Android 1.5 was then released just two months later in April 2009. Android 1.5 was also given a public code Cupcake. The 1.5 version of Android OS received positive reviews and the OS starts getting popular. People also like the concept of giving the name of desserts to the Android Operating System.
After that, Google keeps on adding the latest features and necessary improvements and the company released a number of versions of Android OS. This includes Android Donut, Éclair, Froyo, GingerBread, Honeycomb, Icecream Sandwich, Jelly Bean, KitKat, Lollipop, Marshmallow, Nougat, Oreo, Pie and the latest Android Q.
Android has covered a great journey in these few years. From starting an operating system for digital cameras to the world’s most popular and leading mobile operating system. Android is still improving and more number of features are getting added to this operating system. Every update is making Android smarter and better in terms of performance and hopefully, it has a really bright future.