In the wake of Android's announcement regarding the latest version
of their operating system – Android KitKat – here are 10 of the most
interesting facts about this popular mobile OS.
- It is often assumed that Google created Android themselves, but in reality it was really just a smart investment from the internet giants. They bought the Android start up in 2005 from the original creators Andy Rubin, Rich Miner and Chris White. The purchase price was approximately $50 million and up until early this year one of the original developers, Andy Rubin, stayed involved with the project as head of Google's Android Division, a job which is now held by the head of the Google Chrome division Sundar Pichai.
- Google chose the Android platform largely because it was developed entirely on Linux rather than Windows which is of course the brainchild of rivals – Microsoft company. Although Apple is often seen as Android's main rival, it seems Google had the foresight to realize that Microsoft would eventually move into the mobile market. Windows Phone is becoming just a rival to Android as Apple has been. However it’s a question whether it will gain such a large amount of users as those two.
- Based on recent polls, as many as 45% of all smartphone users have chosen an Android device to become their first smartphone. Fun fact: of those who chose an iPhone, 8% will later switch to an Android device instead.
