25 Interesting Facts About Android

Ah the age old debate, Apple or Android. It does seem a little bit like David vs Goliath really doesn’t it? The heavy-hitter and global superpower; Apple, versus the widely used, customizable and in some weird way lesser; Android. Is this the case though? I myself have always been an avid fan and user of Android’s OS and personally don’t see the hype that surrounds the Apple world, don’t burn me at the stake it’s merely an opinion! Today we’re here to look at 25 amazing facts about this undeniably successful and impressive piece of software. It has to be that good if the big boys of the smartphone world are even using it; Google, HTC, LG and Samsung to name a few. Let’s begin!

1.    In 2004, the Android OS was developed with the backing of Google by Android Inc. In 2005, Google paid $50 million for the OS.

2.    Originally the Android OS wasn’t designed for the smartphone market; it was actually developed as a digital camera platform.

3.    All Android versions, with the exception of Android 1.0 & 1.1, are named after confectionary and desserts i.e. Jelly Bean, Ice Cream Sandwich and KitKat.

4.    In November 2007, Google launched the Linux-based software system; Android OS.

5.    The first smartphone running Android was released in 2008, the HTC Dream or T-Mobile G1 depending on your country, it had a sliding keyboard.

6.    Android has over a billion activations on devices including tablets and of course smartphones.

7.    Android releases are alphabetical; Astro, Bender, Cupcake, Donut, Eclair, Froyo, Gingerbread, Honeycomb, Ice Cream Sandwich, Jelly Bean, KitKat, Lollypop and Marshmallow.

8.    Android is actually open-source which means that individuals have the option to modify source code of the OS and manufacturers can add features.

9.    The word ‘Android’ means a human with a male robot appearance.

10.  In 2010 Sony Ericsson’s LiveView watch was released, the device linked to Android phones to show and control things like the Twitter feeds, texts and media player.

11.  Phandroid is a website dedicated to anything Android including news, reviews and forums. They were the first dedicated Android website and their first post came the same day as Google officially announced Android in 2007.

12.  In California in 2003, Andy Rubin, Nick Sears and Chris White founded Android Inc.

13.  Andy Rubin, Android’s Co-creator, was responsible for the name choice. Whilst at Apple, Andy was given the name for his love of robots.

14.  NASA even uses Android. They sent 2 Nexus S handsets running Android Gingerbread into space to test their sensors in orbit aboard the International Space Station.

15.  Android is available in around 46 languages, this also means apps can be produced in different languages to cover a wider audience.

16.  Android’s app store “Google Play” has over 48 billion app installs.

17.  Android has branched out to other devices like Google Glass and Watches.

18.  At CES 2011 Android 3.0 Honeycomb was debuted on the Motorola XOOM. It was completely redesigned for tablets and never ran on smartphones. Honeycomb was a huge failure.

19.  Android’s significance in the mobile market was perfectly realized in 2009 when Eric Schmidt, Google CEO, was forced to resign from Apple’s board of directors due to a conflict of interest and his inability to be involved in Apple’s developments and future plans.

20.  Irina Blok designed the logo in 2007, the general idea came from the man on toilet doors.

21.  In 2015, Android’s OS was on 81.61% of all Smartphones sold.

22.  In 2015 there were around 98.5 million Android smartphone users in the US and in 2016 there are 107.7 million.

23.  There is an average of 42.38 million unique users a month who use the Android Facebook app.

24.  As all Android users know, most apps are usually free but the average price seems to be just $0.06.

25.  Android’s logo isn’t actually called Android, Google unofficially call him Bugdroid.

The Android system really is such an impressive piece of technology. From its open-source nature to the simplicity of use, it ticks all the boxes when it comes to a mobile OS, and with tens of millions of people using it, they can’t be doing too badly for themselves over at Google! There are troves of facts and figures when it comes to Android, and I implore you to go and read about it, if you use the system there are so many secret features that even working in the technology industry I had zero clue about. Of course if you are an Apple fan boy that is completely understandable, just look at their user base they must be doing something right as well! But I’m sure these facts were just as interesting and fun for you too!

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Source: Wikipedia, thefactsite.