9 Shocking Secrets about Android You Might Not Have Realized
In the heart of Mountain View, California, Google's Android headquarters is home to a unique collection of statues, each representing a new version of the popular mobile operating system. Regrettably, some of these statues have fallen victim to vandalism or theft over the years.
The Android story began in 2003 when Android, Inc., a small startup, was founded with the aim of creating software for cameras. However, the anticipated integration of cameras into smartphones led the company to pivot and focus on developing a mobile operating system instead.
By the time Android made its debut, Java was a well-established language that could run on the diverse range of devices that would be built by Android device manufacturers. Java became the language of choice for Android developers.
The original Android robot was inspired by restroom signs, but the operating system's versions started to take on a more recognisable identity with the introduction of codenames. Initially, these codenames were based on famous robots, but that changed with the release of Android 1.5 "Cupcake" in 2009. This marked the beginning of the sweets-themed naming scheme that has since become synonymous with Android versions.
Prior to Android Cupcake, the earliest versions were simply numbered releases without associated sweet names. The move to sweet/dessert names was groundbreaking and helped to establish a unique and memorable identity for Android.
In 2014, Google solidified this tradition with the release of Material Design, a comprehensive design standard for Android. Material Design introduced a paper-like interface that highlighted the various layers of content and the interaction between them through subtle but dynamic shadows, lighting, and depth. This cross-product design strategy was a significant departure from Google's core business that emerged from the early web.
Interestingly, Google struck a deal with Nestle for the rights to use the name "Kit Kat" for version 4.4 of the Android operating system. The open-source nature of Android was further emphasised when Google open-sourced the artwork for the Android robot, reflecting the free and open philosophy of the Android operating system.
The success of Android was far from certain in its early days, but today it stands as one of the most popular mobile operating systems in the world. This success can be attributed in part to the unique and memorable identity established by the sweets-themed naming scheme, which continues to this day, albeit internally, with version numbers taking centre stage in public releases. The Open Handset Alliance (OHA), a consortium of 84 companies building devices for Android, continues to support and drive the growth of the Android ecosystem.
- The evolution of Android's identity extended beyond the Android robot, as seen with the introduction of the sweet/dessert names like Cupcake, marking a shift from robotic codenames to a more engaging lifestyle concept.
- In the digital era, education-and-self-development resources are not limited to books and classrooms; tech-savvy individuals can learn Android development utilizing popular languages like Java, a testament to the integration of technology and education-and-self-development.
