Android is a mobile operating system with its origins in the Linux kernel. The operating system is developed by Android Inc. a company formed by Andy Rubin, Rich Miner, Nick Sears, and Chris White in 2003. However, they suffered from a lack of funds and Google recognized the potential value. They came to an agreement with Android Inc. to acquire the company for $50 million in 2005.
The four guys who originally founded Android Inc. were relocated to work at the Googleplex and continue developing the operating system. In 2007, the first public beta of the Android Beta version 1 was released.
Growth in Market Share
Android grew quite rapidly in popularity. By 2009 Android had a 2.8% share of the global smartphone shipments. This grew to 10% by May 2010 and moved ahead of the Windows Mobile system. This was just the start and by the end of 2010 Android was claiming a 33% global market share. Less than a year later this share had become 52.2% of the market, and by the end of 2012, it had reached 75% of the global smartphone market.
Market share varied throughout the world with 2012 showing an American market share of 52%, and a 90% market share in China.
Android Versions
· Version 1.0 (September 2008)
· Version 1.5 known as Cupcake (April 2009)
· Version 1.6 known as Donut (September 2009)
· Version 2/0 known as Eclair (October 2009)
· Version 2.2 known as Froyo (frozen Yoghurt) (May 2010)
· Version 2.3 known as Gingerbread (December 2010
· Version 3.0 known as Honeycomb (February 2011)
· Version 4.0 known as Ice Cream Sandwich (October 2011)
· Version 4.1 known as Jellybean (November 2013)
· Android 4.4 known as KitKat (2013)
· Android 5.0 known as Lollipop (November 2014)
· Android 6.00 known as Marshmallow (October 2015)
· Android 7.00 known as Nougat (August 2016)
· Android 8.00 known as Oreo (August 2017)
· Android 9.00 known as Pie (August 2018)
· Android 10.00 no longer used desserts for names (September 2019)
· Android 11.00 (September 2020)
Android on Tablets
While adoption of Android on smartphones was rapid, at first the adoption of Android on Tablets was rather muted. Eventually, after app developers had invested in the market, uptake increased until Android caught up with the iPad in most countries. The problem in the early days was whilst iPad had many apps specifically aimed at that device, for some time Android Tablet users had to make do with using smartphone apps, which were not particularly suited to a Tablet.
In 2012 the launch of the Nexus and strong encouragement by Google for developers to write better Android Tablet Applications resulted in Android Tablets overtaking iPad in the third quarter. The Android Tablet has various market shares around the world. The share in 2020 was:
· European Continent and UK (44%)
· Asia including China (44%)
· USA and Canada (34%)
· Australia, New Zealand, Pacific (18%)
Android has now established itself as the primary operating system of choice for smartphones and tablets on a global basis and shows no sign of any decline soon.