Friday , 6 December 2024

History of first android phone

Android Operating System which was launched by Google way back in 2008 is the most popular operating system for mobiles at the moment. The reason for its tremendous success is that it is an open source operating system. Android was developed by Android Inc and not Google! It was bought by Google in 2005. Android was launched during the period when Apple’s iOS was at the helm of the OS for mobiles market. Initially Android OS didn’t create any ruckus in the mobile world but it started to grow gradually. Android has evolved into one of the largest community of Application Developers writing and developing large number of applications that extend the functionality of smart phones. I feel like it is essential to know the history of our most endearing mobile operating system that is Evolution of Android OS.

What is the first android phone and who was the manufacturer of first android phone?

The first android phone was launched by HTC on 22nd October 2008. HTC Dream which is also known as the T-Mobile G1 in the United States of America and some parts of Europe is the first commercially launched device to be powered by Android operating system. Everyone had great expectations for it being the first android phone of the world and it met with some criticism since it lacked little functionality in comparison to operating systems like iOS and BlackBerry. (Also read: Evolution of iOS)Its notifications system and good integration with Google’s services was highly appreciated.

first android phone - HTC Dream
A white HTC Dream

Do you know that a prototype was shelved in favor of HTC Dream?

Device named “Sooner” would have featured the first version of Android OS and it would have been the world’s first android phone. It looked more like a BlackBerry phone with a non touch screen and QWERTY keyboard. In 2007, Apple Inc has launched its first smartphone. This forced the team working on Android OS to change the operating system’s complete design, rework on various modules being built by then. They have finally come up with a touchscreen device with a sliding physical keyboard.

Also read:

What are the features of first android operated smartphone?

Though HTC Dream was announced on 23rd September 2008, it was released by T-Mobile as T-Mobile G1 on 20th October 2008 in USA. The device’s operating system was Android 1.6 (Donut). It housed 192 MB RAM, 256 MB ROM and up to 16GB of external storage (microSD). HTC Dream was powered by 1150 mAh lithium-ion battery and 528 MHz Qualcomm MSM7201A ARM11 processor. It had a 3.15 megapixel rear camera with auto-focus. The device used a 3.2 inches capacitive touchscreen.

It featured apps like Gmail, Google Maps, Search, Google Talk, You Tube etc., It comprised of other regular apps like calendar, contacts, alarm etc., In few regions HTC Dream was shipped with Cupcake as operating system. Later an update was rolled out for those devices.

Share On

About Sai Prashanth

IT professional. Love to write.