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Doesn't seem like it was that long ago. Interesting that over time people started to believe Google itself created Android, when it's actually closer to being a
by bmalicoat 16y ago
Doesn't seem like it was that long ago. Interesting that over time people started to believe Google itself created Android, when it's actually closer to being a hiptop successor.
- paul 16y agoWhat does it mean for "Google itself" to have created Android? The product they acquired was fairly different from what's out there today. To me, this is a good example of a very successful talent acquisition.
- kjksf 16y agoMore evolved? Yes. Using a different monetization strategy? Yes. But different? I don't think so. The technological foundation of Android (linux for the kernel, small C library and functionality-rich runtime for a custom VM supporting Java-ish programming language) is the same today as it was 5 years ago and is just an evolution of what Sidekick did in 2002. Sure, they made lots of technical progress, added bunch of APIs, polished the UI, changed the business model, but technology is the same, just improved (like you would expect after 5 years).
- ww520 16y agoThink of what Microsoft had had at hand when they acquired Danger/Sidekick, and where they would be today if they didn't decide to rewrite the whole thing. Rewrites of religion motivated or language motivated don't end up well often. Luckily Google didn't decide to rewrite Android just because some people don't like Java.
- hboon 16y agoBut they like Java.
- bmalicoat 16y agokjksf summed it up nicely. Google obviously provided a ton of capital but it was Rubin, using what he learned when building the hiptop, that gave the spark to the whole project.
- wmf 16y agoThat's not surprising, considering that "Android has operated under a cloak of secrecy".
- TotlolRon 16y agoTyrell Corporation created the Androids. Everybody knows that.