Android is a mobile operating system developed by

Android is an open-source mobile operating system based on a modified version of the Linux kernel and other open-source software. It was originally founded by Android Inc. in 2003, which was subsequently acquired by Google in 2005. Google unveiled the operating system in 2007 with the founding of the Open Handset Alliance (OHA), a consortium of hardware, software, and telecommunication companies devoted to advancing open standards for mobile devices.

While the core software is maintained through the Android Open Source Project (AOSP), Google leads the development and integrates its proprietary services (such as the Google Play Store and Gmail) into most commercial Android devices. In contrast, Microsoft developed Windows Phone, Oracle owns the Java platform, and Infosys is an IT services consultancy.