Android is a mobile operating platform owned by Google, and one of the main competitors to the iPhone, which runs on iOS. Android, Inc. was founded in 2003 in Palo Alto, Calif., and bought by Google in 2005. It is a complete mobile phone software stack, overseen by the Open Handset Alliance, a consortium of companies created in 2007. The first version of Android was released in September 2008. It has been updated several times since then, with each round named after a dessert or snack. Cupcake (v1.5), Donut (v1.6) and Eclair (v2.0) were released in 2009. Froyo (v.2.3) and Gingerbread (v2.4) came out in 2010, followed by Honeycomb (v3.0) in May of 2011. Version 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich, was released in October 2011, and is still in the process of being integrated into new handsets.
While Android is one of the world's most popular mobile operating systems, device fragmentation is a problem, as each manufacturer tweaks the software. The device's deep integration with other Google products makes it popular with those seeking an iPhone alternative. Because of its open-source nature, its developer roots are more evident.
For more on Android, check out our resources below.
Here's How Bad Android's Fragmentation Problem Is The History of Android [INFOGRAPHIC] Steve Wozniak: Android Is Better than the iPhone in Some Ways
