That determination also put Google’s Android mobile operating system on an enduring collision course with Apple’s iPhone.
That monumental January 2007 reveal upended traditional conceptions of what a mobile internet-enabled rig could be.
It was a wakeup call for Google.
“That’s a future we don’t want.”
Google’s bet on open-sourcing Android has paid off handsomely.
The idea of an all-touchscreen phone was completely out of sight.
Everything changed on Jan. 9, 2007, when Apple unveiled the iPhone.
“As a consumer I was blown away.
It was one thing to make a compelling operating system.
Google also had to extend the reach of its OS across the world.
Google would also take a cut of sales from apps sold on its Play Store.
Popular pieces of open source software include Linux, Blender and VLC Media Player.
A company like Samsung couldn’t make its own iOS gear, as the software was Apple’s property.
It was either Android or bust, and the mobile industry chose Android.
With Google not charging a licensing fee as Microsoft does with Windows, manufacturers had a no-cost buy-in.
It also meant that companies like Samsung could sell devices without having to send off a check to Google.
That’s made for an intriguing dynamic with two distinctly different vibes.
But that’s Google’s design language for its Pixel line of devices.
Hardware partners like Samsung, OnePlus and Nothing all have their own take on Android.
Teens in the US areall in on the iPhone.
(TheGalaxy S23 revealfrom January, with a nine-month head start, is sitting at 21 million views.)
Many features first came to Android before finding their way onto the iPhone.
Now AI is even helping Android developers, withStudio Botfor learning, coding and testing.
This includes extending the power of computational photography toincorporate AI to fill in pixels that weren’t there before.
Or using AI to screen spam calls or stay on hold with customer service.
Fun tools include using AI to make custom wallpapers.
