Who created Android?
Quick answer
Android was created by Android Inc., a small start-up founded in Palo Alto, California, in 2003 by Andy Rubin, Rich Miner, Nick Sears and Chris White. Google bought the company in 2005, and the first Android phone, the T-Mobile G1 (HTC Dream), launched in 2008.
From cameras to phones
Android Inc. originally planned an operating system for digital cameras. When the founders realized the camera market was too small, they switched to mobile phones, aiming to build an open alternative to Symbian and Windows Mobile.
Timeline
- October 2003Android Inc. is founded
- August 2005Google acquires Android Inc., reportedly for about $50 million
- November 2007Google and partners announce the Open Handset Alliance and the Android platform
- September 2008The T-Mobile G1 (HTC Dream), the first Android phone, launches with a slide-out keyboard
- 2010sAndroid becomes the world’s most-used mobile operating system
Why Android spread so fast
- Free and open source: Phone makers like Samsung, Motorola and Xiaomi could use it without paying a license fee.
- Choice: Phones at every price level, from budget to premium.
- Google services: Gmail, Maps, YouTube and the Play Store built in.
Today, Android runs on roughly 70% of the world’s smartphones, plus tablets, TVs, cars and watches.
Dessert names
Until 2019, versions were named after sweets in alphabetical order:
| Version | Name |
|---|---|
| 1.5 | Cupcake |
| 2.2 | Froyo |
| 4.4 | KitKat |
| 7.0 | Nougat |
| 9 | Pie |
Since Android 10, versions have used plain numbers in public.
The robot logo
The green Android robot (nicknamed “Bugdroid”) was designed in 2007 by Google designer Irina Blok, inspired by the stick figures on restroom doors.
Google itself is owned by Alphabet; see who owns Google. New to Android? Learn how to download WhatsApp or how to scan a QR code.
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