# Android

> operating system created by Google for use on mobile devices

**Wikidata**: [Q94](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q94)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_(operating_system))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/android

## Summary
Android is an operating system created by Google for use on mobile devices. It is classified as a mobile operating system and open-source software.

## Key Facts
*   Android was created by Google.
*   Its inception date was September 23, 2008.
*   It is an open-source software, meaning anyone is free to use and redistribute its source code.
*   Android is a mobile operating system that operates mobile devices.
*   The mascot for Android is Bugdroid.
*   It depends on the Linux kernel.
*   Java is one of the programming languages used for Android.
*   The first version of the Android operating system was Android 1.0, released in 2008.
*   Android versions include Android Cupcake (2009-04-27), Android Eclair (2009-10-23), Android Froyo (2010-05-20), Android Gingerbread (2010-12-06), Android Honeycomb (2011-02-22), Android Ice Cream Sandwich (2011-10-19), Android Jelly Bean (2012-06-28), Android KitKat (4.4, 2013-10-31), Android Lollipop (2014-11-03), Android Marshmallow (2015-10-05), Android Nougat (2016-08-22), Android Oreo (2017-07-20), Android Pie (2018-07-20), Android 10 (2019-07-20), Android 11 (2020-02-19), Android 12 (2021-02-18), Android 13 (2022-08-15), Android 14 (2023-10-04), and Android 15.

## FAQs
### Q: Who created Android?
A: Android was created by Google, an American multinational technology company. It was also founded by Rich Miner and Andrew Rubin.

### Q: What type of software is Android?
A: Android is an operating system, specifically a mobile operating system, designed to operate mobile devices. It is also categorized as open-source software.

### Q: When was Android first released?
A: Android was first released on September 23, 2008, with its initial version being Android 1.0.

### Q: What programming languages are used for Android?
A: Android development primarily uses programming languages such as Java and Kotlin. XML Schema is also referenced.

### Q: What is the mascot of Android?
A: The mascot for Android is Bugdroid.

## Why It Matters
Android holds significant importance as a widely adopted mobile operating system, fundamentally shaping the landscape of mobile computing. Its creation by Google, a major technology company, ensured substantial resources and widespread adoption across numerous mobile devices globally. As an open-source software, Android provides a permissive license that allows anyone to use and redistribute its source code, fostering innovation and customization by developers and manufacturers. This open nature has contributed to its pervasive presence, making it a computing platform accessible on a vast array of devices. Its continuous development, marked by numerous versions and variants like Wear OS for wearables and Android TV for smart TVs, demonstrates its adaptability and central role in diverse technological ecosystems beyond just smartphones.

## Notable For
*   Being an open-source mobile operating system developed by Google.
*   Its mascot, Bugdroid, which is widely recognized.
*   Its extensive range of versions, from Android 1.0 to Android 15, each often named after desserts.
*   Its modular architecture, including core components like the Linux kernel, Bionic, and Android Runtime.
*   Its use of Java and Kotlin as primary programming languages for application development.

## Body

### Definition and Classification
Android is an operating system created by Google for use on mobile devices. It is classified as a mobile operating system and open-source software. It is also considered a computing platform.

### Development and Inception
Android was created by Google, an American multinational technology company. Key individuals involved in its founding include Rich Miner and Andrew Rubin. The Open Handset Alliance is also listed as a developer. Android's inception date was September 23, 2008.

### Key Components
Android's architecture includes several key components:
*   **Linux kernel**: Android depends on the Linux kernel.
*   **Bionic**: A C library.
*   **Dalvik VM**: Used from 2008 to 2014.
*   **Android Runtime**: Introduced in 2014, replacing Dalvik VM.

### Programming Languages
Android supports several programming languages:
*   Java
*   Kotlin
*   XML Schema
*   C++
*   Rust

### Versions
Android has seen numerous versions and variants since its inception:
*   **Android 1.0**: First version, released in 2008.
*   **Android 1.1**: Inception in 2009.
*   **Android Cupcake**: Inception 2009-04-27.
*   **Android Donut**: Inception 2009-09-15.
*   **Android Eclair**: Version 2.0, inception 2009-10-23.
*   **Android Froyo**: Version 2.2, inception 2010-05-20.
*   **Android Gingerbread**: Inception 2010-12-06.
*   **Android Honeycomb**: Version 3.0, inception 2011-02-22.
*   **Android Ice Cream Sandwich**: Inception 2011-10-19.
*   **Android Jelly Bean**: Inception 2012-06-28.
*   **Android KitKat**: Version 4.4, inception 2013-10-31.
*   **Android Lollipop**: Version 5.0, inception 2014-11-03.
*   **Android Marshmallow**: Version 6.0, inception 2015-10-05.
*   **Android Nougat**: Seventh major version, inception 2016-08-22.
*   **Android Oreo**: Inception 2017-07-20.
*   **Android Pie**: Ninth major version, inception 2018-07-20.
*   **Android 10**: Tenth major release, inception 2019-07-20.
*   **Android 11**: Eleventh major release, inception 2020-02-19.
*   **Android 12**: Twelfth major release, inception 2021-02-18.
*   **Android 13**: Thirteenth major release, inception 2022-08-15.
*   **Android 14**: Fourteenth major release, inception 2023-10-04.
*   **Android 15**: Fifteenth major release.

Specific variants include:
*   **Android on Raspberry Pi**: An Android variant.
*   **Wear OS**: For wearable devices.
*   **Android TV**: Smart TV platform.
*   **Android One**: Line of smartphones running unmodified Android.
*   **Android Go**: Variant for low-end devices.
*   **Android Automotive**: For car infotainment systems.
*   **Retroid OS**: An Android variant.

### Branding
*   **Mascot**: Bugdroid.
*   **Icons**: Various icons have been used, with the current preferred icon starting in 2023.
*   **Logos**: Multiple logos have been used throughout its history, with the current preferred logo starting in 2023.

### Licenses
Android uses different licenses for different parts:
*   **Apache Software License 2.0**: Applies to the user space.
*   **GNU General Public License, version 2.0**: Applies to patches.

### Supported File Formats
Android supports a range of readable and writable file formats, including:
*   **Readable**: 3GPP file format, MPEG-2 transport stream, Free Lossless Audio Codec (FLAC), MP3, Standard MIDI File, Waveform Audio File Format (WAV), JPEG File Interchange Format (JFIF), GIF.
*   **Writable**: MPEG-4 Part 14, JPEG, Portable Network Graphics (PNG), WebM, WebP Lossless, Matroska, 3GPP file format, MPEG-2 transport stream, Waveform Audio File Format (WAV).

### Package Management Systems
Android utilizes various package management systems:
*   Google Play
*   Amazon Appstore
*   Yandex.Store
*   Galaxy Store
*   APK (Android Package Kit)

### Online Presence
Android maintains an official website at `https://www.android.com/` and has official presences on social media platforms like Twitter (`@Android`), Facebook (`AndroidOfficial`), Instagram (`android`), and YouTube (`@android`).

### Derivative Works
Derivative works based on Android include ColorOS, Remix OS, Replicant, EMUI, Xiaomi HyperOS, and One UI.

```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "OperatingSystem",
  "name": "Android",
  "description": "operating system created by Google for use on mobile devices",
  "url": "https://www.android.com/",
  "sameAs": [
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    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q94",
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  ],
  "creator": {
    "@type": "Organization",
    "name": "Google"
  },
  "operatingSystem": "mobile operating system",
  "softwareHelp": "https://www.android.com/",
  "dateCreated": "2008-09-23",
  "programmingLanguage": ["Java", "Kotlin", "XML Schema", "C++", "Rust"],
  "license": ["Apache Software License 2.0", "GNU General Public License, version 2.0"],
  "image": [
    "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Android_Gingerbread_Easter_egg.jpg",
    "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Android_Honeycomb_Easter_egg.jpg",
    "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Android_Ice_Cream_Sandwich_Easter_egg.jpg",
    "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Android_Jelly_Bean_Easter_egg.jpg",
    "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Android_KitKat_Easter_egg.jpg",
    "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Android_Lollipop_Easter_egg.jpg",
    "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Android_Marshmallow_Easter_egg.jpg",
    "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Android_Nougat_Easter_egg.jpg",
    "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Android_Samsung_Smartphones.jpg",
    "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Android_Oreo_Easter_egg.jpg"
  ],
  "logo": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Android_2023_3D_logo_and_wordmark.svg"
}

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. [Dream(sheep++): A developer’s introduction to Google Android. 2009](https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2009/02/an-introduction-to-google-android-for-developers/)
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. [Contributor license agreements and headers](https://source.android.com/docs/setup/about/licenses)
5. [Source](https://developer.android.com/kotlin/index.html)
6. [Source](https://www.w3schools.com/xml/schema_elements_ref.asp)
7. [2017](https://www.openhub.net/p/android/analyses/latest/languages_summary)
8. [2022](https://security.googleblog.com/2022/12/memory-safe-languages-in-android-13.html)
9. [2008](http://android-developers.blogspot.am/2008/09/announcing-android-10-sdk-release-1.html)
10. [Source](http://android-developers.blogspot.am/2013/10/android-44-kitkat-and-updated-developer.html)
11. [Get ready for the sweet taste of Android 6.0 Marshmallow. 2015](http://officialandroid.blogspot.am/2015/10/get-ready-for-sweet-taste-of-android-60.html)
12. [Google releases Android 6.0.1 Factory Images for Nexus 6P/6, Nexus 5X/5, Nexus Player, Nexus 9 And Nexus 7 [2013]. 2015](http://www.gadgetzarena.com/news/google-releases-android-6-0-1-factory-images-nexus-6p6-nexus-5x5-nexus-player-nexus-9-nexus-7-2013/)
13. [Android 7.0 Nougat: a more powerful OS, made for you. 2016](https://android.googleblog.com/2016/08/android-70-nougat-more-powerful-os-made.html)
14. [Source](http://www.androidpolice.com/2016/10/04/android-7-1-coming-current-nexus-devices-pixel-c-will-land-end-2016-dev-preview/)
15. [Android 9 Pie: Powered by AI for a smarter, simpler experience that adapts to you](https://blog.google/products/android/introducing-android-9-pie/)
16. [2019](https://blog.google/products/android/android-10/)
17. [Source](https://blog.google/products/android/android-11/)
18. [Source](https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2021/10/android-12-is-live-in-aosp.html)
19. [Source](https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2022/08/android-13-is-in-aosp.html)
20. [Android 14 is live in AOSP](https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2023/10/android-14-is-live-in-aosp.html)
21. [Android 15 is released to AOSP](https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2024/09/android-15-is-released-to-aosp.html)
22. [The First Developer Preview of Android 16](https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2024/11/the-first-developer-preview-android16.html)
23. [android / platform / build / refs/tags/android-15.0.0_r5](https://android.googlesource.com/platform/build/+/refs/tags/android-15.0.0_r5)
24. [Announcing the Android 1.0 SDK, release 1. Google. 2008](https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2008/09/announcing-android-10-sdk-release-1.html)
25. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
26. [Supported Media Formats](https://developer.android.com/guide/appendix/media-formats.html)
27. [Android | Do More With Google on Android Phones & Devices](https://www.android.com/)
28. [Android | Mehr Möglichkeiten mit Google für Android-Smartphones und -Geräte](https://www.android.com/)
29. [Newest 'android' Questions - Stack Overflow](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/tagged/android)
30. YSO-Wikidata mapping project
31. BabelNet
32. [Android OS | GTA Wiki | Fandom](https://gta.fandom.com/wiki/Android_OS#Navigation)
33. [Android | Grand Theft Encyclopedia | Fandom](https://gta.fandom.com/es/wiki/Android)
34. [Android OS | GTA Wiki | Fandom](https://gta.fandom.com/it/wiki/Android_OS)
35. [Android | Grand Theft Auto Wiki | Fandom](https://gta.fandom.com/pt/wiki/Android)
36. [Android | GTA-педія | Fandom](https://gta.fandom.com/uk/wiki/Android)
37. KBpedia
38. YouTube API
39. [OpenAlex](https://docs.openalex.org/download-snapshot/snapshot-data-format)
40. Know Your Meme