Android

Technology

An open-source mobile operating system developed by Google, considered a potential target for being spun off in a breakup scenario. Its purpose was to prevent third parties from blocking access to Google search.


entitydetail.created_at

8/20/2025, 4:32:16 AM

entitydetail.last_updated

8/26/2025, 6:01:54 AM

entitydetail.research_retrieved

8/20/2025, 4:34:37 AM

Summary

Android is a widely used operating system, primarily for touchscreen mobile devices like smartphones and tablets, based on a modified Linux kernel and other open-source software. Initially developed by Android Inc. starting in 2003 and acquired by Google in 2005, its development is now predominantly led by Google and the Open Handset Alliance. The core of the system, the Android Open Source Project (AOSP), is free and open-source under the Apache License. However, most devices utilize Google's proprietary version, which includes Google Mobile Services (GMS) like Chrome and Google Play. Google holds the trademark for "Android" and restricts its use on uncertified products. Android is the world's most used operating system, with over three billion monthly active users, powering 46% of the global operating system market. It has also been adapted for other devices, including Android TV, Wear OS, and Meta Horizon OS. The operating system is a key asset for Google, which is currently facing an antitrust lawsuit from the DOJ that could potentially lead to a breakup of assets like Android.

Research Data
Extracted Attributes
  • Type

    Operating System

  • Based On

    Modified Linux kernel, Open-source software

  • Core System

    Android Open Source Project (AOSP)

  • AOSP License

    Apache License

  • Primary Devices

    Smartphones, Tablets, Wearables, TVs, VR headsets, Automobiles

  • Trademark Holder

    Google

  • Monthly Active Users

    Over three billion

  • Global OS Market Share

    46%

  • Software Package Format

    APK

  • Original Development Focus

    Digital cameras

Timeline
  • Development of Android started by Android, Inc. (Source: Web Search Results)

    2003

  • Android Inc. was acquired by Google. (Source: Web Search Results)

    2005

  • The beta version of Android was released. (Source: Web Search Results)

    2007-11-05

  • The Android Software Development Kit (SDK) was released. (Source: Web Search Results)

    2007-11-12

  • Android 1.0, the first commercial version of the software, was released. (Source: Web Search Results)

    2008-09-23

  • Android 2.0 (Eclair) was released, adding features like text-to-speech and live wallpapers. (Source: Web Search Results)

    2009-10

  • Android became the most used operating system worldwide on smartphones. (Source: Wikipedia)

    2011

  • Android 16, the most recent version, was released. (Source: Summary)

    2025-06-10

  • The DOJ is pursuing an antitrust lawsuit against Google, which could result in a forced breakup of key assets like Android. (Source: Related Documents)

    Ongoing

Android (operating system)

Android is an operating system based on a modified version of the Linux kernel and other open-source software, designed primarily for touchscreen-based mobile devices such as smartphones and tablet computers. Android has historically been developed by a consortium of developers known as the Open Handset Alliance, but its most widely used version is primarily developed by Google. First released in 2008, Android is the world's most widely used operating system; it is the most used operating system for smartphones, and also most used for tablets; the latest version, released on June 10, 2025, is Android 16. At its core, the operating system is known as the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) and is free and open-source software (FOSS) primarily licensed under the Apache License. However, most devices run the proprietary Android version developed by Google, which ships with additional proprietary closed-source software pre-installed, most notably Google Mobile Services (GMS), which includes core apps such as Google Chrome, the digital distribution platform Google Play, and the associated Google Play Services development platform. Firebase Cloud Messaging is used for push notifications. While AOSP is free, the "Android" name and logo are trademarks of Google, who restrict the use of Android branding on "uncertified" products. The majority of smartphones based on AOSP run Google's ecosystem—which is known simply as Android—some with vendor-customized user interfaces and software suites, for example One UI. Numerous modified distributions exist, which include competing Amazon Fire OS, community-developed LineageOS; the source code has also been used to develop a variety of Android distributions on a range of other devices, such as Android TV for televisions, Wear OS for wearables, and Meta Horizon OS for VR headsets. Software packages on Android, which use the APK format, are generally distributed through a proprietary application store; non-Google platforms include vendor-specific Amazon Appstore, Samsung Galaxy Store, Huawei AppGallery, and third-party companies Aptoide, Cafe Bazaar, GetJar or open source F-Droid. Since 2011 Android has been the most used operating system worldwide on smartphones. It has the largest installed base of any operating system in the world with over three billion monthly active users and accounting for 46% of the global operating system market.

Web Search Results
  • Android (operating system)

    Android is an operating system based on a modified version of the Linux kernel and other open-source software, designed primarily for touchscreen-based mobile devices such as smartphones and tablet computers. Android has historically been developed by a consortium of developers known as the Open Handset Alliance, but its most widely used version is primarily developed by Google. First released in 2008, Android is the world's most widely used operating system; the latest version, released on [...] Software packages on Android, which use the APK "Apk (file format)") format, are generally distributed through a proprietary application store; non-Google platforms include vendor-specific Amazon Appstore, Samsung Galaxy Store, Huawei AppGallery, and third-party companies Aptoide, Cafe Bazaar, GetJar or open source F-Droid. Since 2011 Android has been the most used operating system worldwide on smartphones. It has the largest installed base of any operating system in the world( with over three [...] At its core, the operating system is known as the Android Open Source Project (AOSP)( and is free and open-source software (FOSS) primarily licensed under the Apache License. However, most devices run the proprietary Android version developed by Google, which ships with additional proprietary closed-source software pre-installed,( most notably Google Mobile Services (GMS),( which includes core apps such as Google Chrome, the digital distribution platform Google Play, and the associated Google

  • Android - Wikipedia, la enciclopedia libre

    Android es un sistema operativo móvil basado en el núcleo Linux y otros componentes software de código abierto. Está diseñado para dispositivos móviles con pantalla táctil, como teléfonos inteligentes, tabletas "Tableta (computadora)"), relojes inteligentesWear OS, automóviles con otros sistemas a través de Android Auto, al igual los automóviles con el sistema Android Automotive y televisoresAndroid TV. [...] Inicialmente fue desarrollado por Android Inc., que fue adquirido por Google LLC en 2005.( Android fue presentado en 2007 junto con la fundación del Open Handset Alliance (un consorcio de compañías de hardware, software y telecomunicaciones) para avanzar en los estándares abiertos de los dispositivos móviles.( El código fuente principal de Android se conoce como Android Open Source Project (AOSP), que se licencia principalmente bajo la Licencia Apache.( Android es el sistema operativo móvil más [...] | Android | | --- | | _Parte de Linux_ | | Image 4 | | Image 5 | | Información general | | Tipo de programa | sistema operativo móvil | | Desarrollador | Google | | Modelo de desarrollo | Código abierto( | | Lanzamiento inicial | 23 de septiembre de 2008 (16 años,8 meses y 18 días) | | Licencia | Apache 2.0 y GNU GPL 2( | | Estado actual | En desarrollo | | Idiomas | Multilingüe | | Información técnica |

  • Android version history - Wikipedia

    The development of Android started in 2003 by Android, Inc., which was purchased by Google in 2005.( There were at least two internal releases of the software inside Google and the Open Handset Alliance (OHA) before the beta version was released.( The beta was released on November 5, 2007,( while the software development kit (SDK) was released on November 12, 2007.( Several public beta versions of the SDK were released.( These releases were done through software emulation as physical devices [...] Android 1.0, the first commercial version of the software, was released on September 23, 2008.( The first commercially available Android device was the HTC Dream.( [...] | Android Honeycomb | Honeycomb | Unsupported: 3.0 | 11 | February 22, 2011 | | Unsupported: 3.1 | 12 | May 10, 2011 | | Unsupported: 3.2 – 3.2.6 | 13 | July 15, 2011 | | Android Ice Cream Sandwich | Ice Cream Sandwich | Unsupported: 4.0 – 4.0.2 | 14 | October 18, 2011 | 14.8.49 (February 2019) | | Unsupported: 4.0.3 – 4.0.4 | 15 | December 16, 2011 | | Android Jelly Bean | Jelly Bean | Unsupported: 4.1 – 4.1.2 | 16 | July 9, 2012 | 21.33.56 (September 2021) |

  • History of Android - GeeksforGeeks

    Introduction to Android Development Android operating system is the largest installed base among various mobile platforms across the globe. Hundreds of millions of mobile devices are powered by Android in more than 190 countries of the world. It conquered around 71% of the global market share by the end of 2021, and this trend is grow 5 min readHistory of Android Android devices form a very essential part of a huge section of mobile phone users in today's world. With the global turmoil in the [...] Android 1.0 (API 1) was launched on the 23rdOf September 2008. It was incorporated into theHTC Dream smartphone (aka T-mobile G1 in the US). It thus became the first-ever Android device. The features it offered included Google Maps, YouTube, an HTML browser, Gmail, camera, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and many more. The unique feature at that time was the presence of an Android Market (now Play Store) from where the users could download and update Android applications additional to what was already [...] COVID-19 eras, the population has now entered a digital sphere. Android is the most used OS in smartphones during these days of transformation. But when did something l 15+ min readBest Way to Become Android Developer – A Complete Roadmap Android is an open-source operating system, based on the Linux kernel and used in mobile devices like smartphones, tablets, etc. Further, it was developed for smartwatches and Android TV. Each of them has a specialized interface. Android has been one of the

  • Android history: The evolution of the biggest mobile OS in the world

    In October 2009 — about a year after the launch of Android 1.0 — Google released version 2.0 of the OS, with the official codename Eclair. This version was the first to add text-to-speech support, and also introduced live wallpapers, multiple account support, and Google Maps navigation, among many other new features and improvements. [...] Rubin revealed in a 2013 speech in Tokyo that Android OS was originally meant to improve the operating systems of digital cameras. Even back then, the market for stand-alone digital cameras was declining. A few months later, Android Inc shifted gears towards using the OS inside mobile phones. Google bought Android in 2005 and everything changed. [...] In 2005, the next significant chapter in Android history began when Google acquired the original company. Rubin and other founding members continued developing the OS under their new owners. They then decided to use Linux as the basis for the Android OS. That made it possible to offer the operating system to third-party mobile manufacturers for free. Google and the Android team felt the company could profit from providing other services, including apps.

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