Android

[PussyCat]

Android is a mobile operating system developed by Google. It is used by several smartphones and tablets. Examples include the Sony Xperia, the Samsung Galaxy, and the Google Nexus One.
The Android operating system (OS) is based on the Linux kernel. Unlike Apples iOS, Android is open source, meaning developers can modify and customize the OS for each phone. Therefore, different Android-based phones often have different graphical user interfaces GUIs even though they use the same OS.
Android phones typically come with several built-in applications and also support third-party programs. Developers can create programs for Android using the free Android software developer kit (SDK). Android programs are written in Java and run through a Java virtual machine JVM that is optimized for mobile devices. The Dalvik JVM was used through Android 4.4 and was replaced by Android Runtime or ART in Android 5.0. Users can download and install Android apps from Google Play and other locations.
If you are unsure what operating system your phone or tablet uses, you can view the system information by selecting About in the Settings menu. This is also a good way to check if your device meets an apps system requirements. The name Android comes from the term android, which is robot designed to look and act like a human.
The Android Logo and OS Icon

[Oralee]

The famous Google made [operating system] for [mobile phones]. First debuted on the [T-mobile G1], android is used on many different phones. Much can be done to the linux-based mobile operating system.

[Jessica]

[Googles] mobile phone and tablet operating system, a direct rival to Apples [iOS]. Where iOS is more about simplicity and flashy looks, [Android] is about customization and control over the hardware that you bought with your hard-earned dollar. (In most cases, less of your dollars, compared to iPhone/iPad)

[Marquetta]

Google operating software for mobile phones, smartphones and tablets. Biggest rival of Apples iPhone and [Windows Mobile], although Windows Mobile is actually too tiny to be considered a competitor.
Current releases:
Cupcake Android 1.5
Donut Android 1.6
[Eclair] Android 2.1
[Froyo] Android 2.2
Future releases (October 2010):
Gingerbread Android 3.0
Honeycomb Android 3.5
Ice Cream Android 4.0

[Oralee]

The smartphone operating system that is on the verge of crushing the iphone. To put it simply, Android treats you as the admin of your phone, while the Iphone OS treats you as a user. While only the Iphone runs on [iOS4], there are hundreds of Android phones. Android allows you to install [3rd party] apps, run emulators, use [webchat] WITHOUT WiFi, etc.

[Rihanna]

A being that resembles [a human] or other living being.
A [robot] that was designed to [mimic] the behavior of and/or look like a human or other living being. As seen in films

[Julene]

A [robotic] creation designed to [mimic] the look and often behavior of a human male; from the Greek andr-, meaning man, and the suffix -eides, meaning of the species; alike. Female-form robots are known as gynoids, although coloquially android or the gender-neutral diminuitive [droid] can refer to both.

[Sommer]

1. An [automaton] in the form of a human being.
2. Googles new open source operating system (OS) for smart phones. Currently the only phone with this OS is the [HTC] G1 provided by [T-Mobile].

[Kit]

A male [sex robot] [called] [Andrew]

[Ernesto]

(in science fiction) a robot with a human appearance.

[Lanell]

Introduction to Android
Android is based on a modified Linux kernel which was initially developed by Android Inc., a company co-founded by Andy Rubin in October 2003, and purchased by Google in 2005 for circa million.
Google released its Beta mobile phone operating system, Android, on the 5 November 2007, the same year Apple launched the iPhone, with Google releasing its first SDK one week later, on 12 November 2007.
Did you know? When Google launched Android, Eric Schmidt (Googles then CEO) was a member of Apples Board of Directors, a position he had held since August 2006. At the time of its launch, the iPhone utilized Googles backend services built into some of Apples core iPhone apps, such as Maps and YouTube.
It wasnt until August 3, 2009, that he resigned from Apples Board of Directors due to the obvious potential conflicts of interest. Before his resignation, his effectiveness as an Apple Board member was significantly diminished, often having to recuse himself from Board meetings when the subject matter turned to iPhone or its fledgling operation system - iOS.
During the early stages of its accelerated development, Android had a very aggressive release schedule. We often saw multiple releases per year, and at its peak in 2009 Android received no-less than four significant updates. More recently, Google has settled into yearly major updates.
In 2011, Android became the worlds most popular mobile Operating System - a mantle that it has not relinquished since - and is unlikely to do so as developing a modern OS for any platform is a major undertaking. As of April 2018, Android had a market share of 75.66%, with iOS holding 19.23%. The 5.11% for other combines the likes of Windows, Series 40, Samsung, and Blackberry. Taking tablets into account, iOS only closes the divide by 2-3%. Licensing and Google Mobile Services
Not all devices running Android are equal though. Once Google launches an Android release, it makes the source code available via an open source license allowing for distribution and modification. However, to use the Android trademark, device manufacturers have to license this separately from Google.
Additionally, the Android OS doesnt include that many core apps. Those apps that we take for granted such as the Play Store, Chrome, Gmail, Maps and the APIs that access Googles services are part of Googles Mobile Services, which has to be licensed separately from Google. Google will only grant licenses to manufactures that meet its strict compatibility requirements along with other criteria.
This explains why Amazons Fire tablets, which run a forked version of Android, dont make any reference to Android - instead choosing to call its operating System Fire OS. Similarly, Amazon doesnt license Google Mobile Services and provides its own browser called silk, Amazon app store and other supporting apps that access Amazons eco-system.
As stated previously, the open source license allows modification, enabling device manufacturers to provide a point of differentiation in the sea of Android devices both through skinning the stock Android experience and/or enhancing other Android features. Samsung with its Samsung Experience, Huawei and its EMUI are two examples of manufacturers who take this approach. Others, such as Motorola and Nokia prefer a lighter touch providing a near stock Android. This can be a contentious subject which warranted our own Sunday debate earlier in the year which you can read here. Of interest, 65% of voters preferred stock android. Version history
Jump to
Android 1.0 (no codename)
Android 1.1 (Petit Four)
Android 1.5 (Cupcake)
Android 1.6 (Donut)
Android 2.0 (Eclair)
Android 2.2 (Froyo)
Android 2.3 (Gingerbread)
Android 3.0 (Honeycomb)
Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)
Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean)
Android 4.4 (KitKat)
Android 5.0 (Lollipop)
Android 6.0 (Marshmallow)
Android 7.0 (Nougat)
Android 8.0 (Oreo)
Android 9.0 (Android 9 Pie)
Android 1.0 - no codename
Release date: September 23, 2008
Android 1.0 was the first commercially available release of the OS. It was available on the pioneering device - the T-Mobile G1 (released October 2008 in the US and the UK) along with the Android source code.
Inbuilt apps included: Android Market • Web Browser • Pictures • Camera Gmail • Google Contacts • Google Calendar • Over the air syncing via Google Sync Email app supporting POP3, IMAP

[Renato]

A [computer virus] made for [linux] [kernel] by Google to steal your data.

[Hina Muqadas]

Now one of the most used technology companies is Apples competitor. Ever since 2008, this company now owned by Google was made about one year since the release of the original iPhone. Its first phone was the [T-mobile G1], as it sparked a ton of other companies. Some of these companies are Samsung, [Kyocera], Googles Pixel lineup, Huawei, Motorola, [Oppo], HTC, and a ton of others. By todays standards, I would recommend getting the Samsung Galaxy S20 and S20 Ultra, with their amazing displays and the Ultras whopping 108 Mpx camera.

[Vania]

[Superior] to [iPhone]