Android debuted in 2008 and after 13 years is now the most popular operating system on mobile devices.
Google's Android operating system has become the most popular name in mobile phones. In the last 30 years of rapid development of technology that has emerged as colossal companies, Android also has its own bright history. Today, it is relatively common knowledge that Google, although it owns the Android operating system, was not the one who created it.
The beginning of Android
Android Inc. was founded in California in 2003, five years before the first one was released smartphone Android. Founded by Andy Rubin, Rich Miner, Nick Sears and Chris White. Originally, Android was intended to be an operating system for digital cameras.
However, this idea did not last long. Eventually, its creators realized that Android had far more capabilities and could compete with Windows Mobile and Symbian, then the top mobile operating systems of the time. In 2005, Andy Rubin tried to make deals with Samsung and HTC, but to no avail.
In July 2005, Google acquired Android Inc. for $ 50 million. Andy Rubin, Rich Miner, Nick Sears and Chris White also joined Google as part of the acquisition, with Rubin leading the team. Google has started marketing the operating system to phone makers and mobile phone companies. Its great advantage was the open and flexible nature we know even today.
Apple iPhone was launched in 2007 and drastically changed the mobile phone landscape. Google released the first Android in 2008 device, the T-Mobile G1. Since then Android devices have continued to be released at a remarkable pace.
Where did the name "Android" come from?
The word "Android" pre-existed before the advent of the Android operating system. The term "Android" was used to describe robots that looked like humans. The first use was traced back to 1700, to describe mechanical devices that looked like humans.
However, none of this has anything to do with where the Android operating system got its name, not directly, at least.
Before founding Android Inc. and became a member of Google, Andy Rubin worked at Apple from 1989 to 1992. At Apple, his nicknamed "Android" because of his love for robots. In fact, Android.com was Rubin's personal site until 2008.
It's funny how things come to be sometimes. "Android" is a very appropriate name for an operating system that prides itself on personalization, but the name was not created specifically for the operating system.
Everything points to a nickname given to a guy named Andy. Rubin is no longer on Google, but his name remains.
Evolution of Android
At Google, the team led by Rubin developed a mobile platform powered by the Linux kernel. Google has launched the platform to device makers with the promise of a flexible, scalable system.
And it was true. THE company supported Android, constantly making upgrades. It changed the operating system specifications very quickly by supporting the newly arrived “Touch Screens”. Remember the first cell phones had buttons and the screen was small and simple.
Since 2008, Android has seen many upgrades, which have gradually improved the operating system, adding new features and fixing bugs in previous releases. Each major release is named in alphabetical order and refers to a dessert or dessert.
Thus, the first versions of Android were named, in order: "Cupcake", "Donut", "Eclair", "Froyo", "Gingerbread", "Honeycomb", "Ice Cream Sandwich", and "Jelly Bean". When announcing Android “KitKat” in 2013, Google explained that “Since these devices make our lives so sweet, every version Android is named after a dessert”.
"Lollipop" was released in 2014, followed by "Marshmallow", "Nougat", "Oreo", "Pie". In 2019 the name was changed and so the "11" and "12" that run until today came out.
The Android logo has changed four times in its history.
Programming languages
Applications that extend the functionality of devices are written using the Android Software Development Kit (SDK) and, often, the Java programming language.
Java can be combined with C / C ++. The Go programming language is also supported, albeit with a limited set of application programming interfaces (APIs). In May 2017, Google announced support for Android applications in the Kotlin programming language.
