For the past 2 weeks I have been researching the history of Android and putting this together so all you Android fans out there can understand and love your favorite OS even more and really show your friends how dumb they are by not knowing the products they’re using.

Android is a mobile operating system that uses a modified version of the Linux Kernel. Originally developed by Android Inc., later purchased by Google, and later by the Open Handset Alliance (OHA). It is “open sourced” to allow developers to write code in the Java language, controlling the device via Google-developed Java libraries. OHA was announced on November 5^th, 2007 during the unveiling of the Android distribution. OHA is a combination of 47 hardware, software, and telecom companies dedicated to advancing open standards for mobile devices. Google released most of the Android development code under the Apache License, which is a free software and open sourced licensing agreement.

July 2005

Google acquired Android, Inc. prior to this purchase, Android, Inc. was a small startup company based in Palo Alto, Ca.

Android’s co-founders Andy Rubin, Nick Sears, and Chris White went to work for Google. Rubin is also the co-founder of Danger, Sears is a former Vice President of Product Marketing at T-Mobile USA, and White headed design and interface development at WebTV. Android Inc was an unknown company that made software for mobile phones. Then rumors were circulating that Google was planning to enter the mobile phone market. At Google, a team lead by Rubin developed a mobile platform powered by the Linux kernel which they marketed to headset makers and wireless carriers on the premise of providing a customizable and upgradeable system.

December 2006

Reports from The Wall Street Journal noted that Google wanted its search and applications on mobile devices. Various news organizations soon reported rumors that Google was developing a Google-branded device known to us as the “G1”. Google later unveiled its first Smartphone the “Nexus One,” a device manufactured by HTC,  which became available for consumers on January 5, 2010.

Septemeber 2008

T-Mobile’s G1, the first Android phone shocks the mobile community. It is still one of the most popular Android devices today.

February 16, 2010

Google has come from being just a “search” company to an “everything” company, and they’re doing it right. They are taking time to make sure they don’t screw it up and paving the way for Mobile Development as they [Google] strive for global domination. As many have already reported, Apple’s iPhone sales are steadily dropping while Google’s Android platform is steadily climbing the ranks. The Nexus One is off to a very slow start, but as different carriers pick up the N1 you will all see the iPhone sales plummet considerably as more Apple users will come to the “Green” side.

Have any comments or questions? Please feel free to post them below.