Android History

Android is developed by the Open Handset Alliance led by Google.

Android is an operating system for mobile devices such as smart phones and tablet computers. Android consists of a kernel based on the Linux kernel, with middleware, libraries and APIs written in C and application software running on an application framework which includes Java-compatible libraries based on Apache Harmony. Android has a large community of developers writing applications that extend the functionality of the devices, usually developers write primarily in a customized version of Java.

Initial developer of this software was Android, Inc. Android Inc was founded by Andy Rubin and Danger in the year 2003. It was situated at Palo Alto, California, United States. They were developing softwares for smarter mobile phones that were more aware of its owner’s location and preferences. Android Inc. operated secretly, revealing only that it was working on software for mobile phone.

On November 5, 2007 the Open Handset Alliance, a consortium of several companies which include HTC, Intel, Marvell Technology, Broadcom Corporation, Motorola, Texas Instruments, Qualcomm, T-mobile, Sprint Nextel, LG, Google, Samsung Electronics unveiled itself, The main goal of the Open Handset Alliance was to develop open standards for mobile devices. Later On December 9, 2008, Atheros Communications, Asustek Computer Inc, Garmin Ltd, huawei Technologies, Vodafone Group Plc, Toshiba Corp, Softbank and ARM holdings joined the open standards community.

Open Handset Unveiled their first product, Android which was built on the Linux kernel version 2.6, The android logo was designed along with the Droid Font family made by Ascender Corporation.

Recent Version releases:

2.3 Gingerbread

3.0 Honeycomb

3.1 Honeycomb

3.2 Honeycomb

4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich

In 2005 Google acquired Android Inc. it made android inc. a wholly owned subsidiary of Google Inc. But the founders stayed with the company at the time of acquisition; At Google the team led by Rubin developed a mobile device platform by the Linux kernel. Google marketed the platform to handset makers and carriers on the premise of providing a flexible, upgrading system. Google actually wanted its search and applications on mobile phones and it was working hard to deliver the best.