Definition: Android

An operating system for smartphones and tablets from the Google-sponsored Open Handset Alliance. With myriad models to choose from, Android is the leading mobile platform worldwide (see Android market share).

Android is a Linux OS, and apps are programmed in Java, as well as Kotlin. Users download applications from Google's Play Store, the Amazon Appstore and other online sources. See Kotlin, Google Play and Amazon Appstore.

The first Android smartphone came out in 2008 and quickly became a major competitor to the iPhone due to its availability from multiple carriers and numerous handset manufacturers. In addition, Androids could multitask, whereas iPhones initially could not. By 2011, Android outsold every other smartphone. See Android market share.

Like Windows vs. Mac
Like Windows computers, Android hardware is offered by several manufacturers, and they can add their own apps and interface features to their devices (see app launcher).

In contrast, like the Mac, the iPhone and iPad are made only by Apple. There are fewer current models than Android, and all have a standard interface. See iPhone vs. Android, how to select a mobile device, Open Handset Alliance, AOSP, Android fragmentation, mobile compatibility and mobile device vendor control.

The Google Phone
In 2005, Google acquired Android, Inc. and two years later unveiled smartphone specifications for third-party manufacturers. In 2010, Google began to offer "pure Android" versions, devoid of vendor add-ons (see Google Nexus and Pixel phone). When it acquired Motorola Mobility in 2012, Google became a phone manufacturer itself. However, in less than two years, Google sold the company to Lenovo while retaining numerous patents. See Android camera, Android rooting, Android laptop, Android antivirus program, Chromecast, Google TV, Galaxy S, HTC G1 and smartphone.

Early Models

After T-Mobile introduced the first Android phone in 2008, other carriers and vendors followed, eventually introducing more than a thousand models. See GSM and CDMA.

No Phones on These Androids

In 2009, the ARCHOS entertainment center (top) and Barnes & Noble e-book reader were some of the first Androids sans phone. Soon after, myriad Android tablets and devices were introduced. (Images courtesy of ARCHOS and Barnesandnoble.com)