Android
Android is a Linux-based, open-source mobile operating system developed by Google and the Open Handset Alliance. It is primarily designed for touchscreen mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets, offering a flexible platform for hardware manufacturers and a rich ecosystem for application…
Key facts
- First appeared
- 2003
- Category
- technology
- Problem solved
- Android was created to address the significant fragmentation and closed, proprietary nature of the mobile operating system market in the early 2000s. Manufacturers faced high licensing costs, developers struggled with diverse SDKs for each platform, and consumers had limited choice and innovation due to vendor lock-in and a lack of an open standard. Android aimed to provide an open, customizable, and free-to-license operating system that would foster innovation and broader market participation.
- Platforms
- Embedded systems, Tablets, Game consoles (e.g., Ouya, Nvidia Shield), Automotive infotainment systems (Android Auto, Android Automotive), Smartwatches (Wear OS), Smart TVs (Android TV), Smartphones
Related technologies
Notable users
- Vivo
- Google (Pixel series)
- OnePlus
- Samsung
- Oppo
- Motorola
- Xiaomi