Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Mobile
  3. News

Happy eighth birthday, Android! Google’s cake salutes previous versions

Julian Chokkattu
By

google android 8th birthday versiones
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Eight years ago on September 23, Google released Android 1.0. Today, the mobile operating system has more than 80 percent of the smartphone market around the world.

Despite many issues, like a fragmented update process, increased anti-competitive scrutiny by European powers, and increased malware attacks, the operating system has grown remarkably within that short 8-year span.

Recommended Videos

Android’s Twitter account said the company was “whipping up something sweet for a big day” on Saturday. The image in the tweet showed Bugdroid, Android’s green mascot, whisking some eggs next to ingredients including marshmallows, nougat, and Kit Kat bars.

Related

If you’re unaware, the ingredients refer to versions of Android — 4.4 KitKat, 6.0 Marshmallow, and the more recent 7.0 Nougat. Turns out, the announcement was commemorative as we expected.

8 epic years. Naturally, we're celebrating with some of our favorite treats. #Android pic.twitter.com/t2GPZWSCJj

— Android (@Android) September 24, 2016

Still, Android and Chrome OS Senior Vice President, Hiroshi Lockheimer, tweeted the following: “We announced the 1st version of Android 8 years ago today. I have a feeling 8 years from now, we’ll be talking about Oct. 4, 2016.”

Android Police says we’ll be seeing more than the crop of hardware devices expected to launch at Google’s October 4 event in San Francisco. Google may offer a sneak peak at Andromeda, the codenamed project that merges Android and Chrome OS. This would mark one of the biggest changes to Android since its initial release.

We announced the 1st version of Android 8 years ago today. I have a feeling 8 years from now we'll be talking about Oct 4, 2016.

— Hiroshi Lockheimer (@lockheimer) September 24, 2016

The company is expected to launch Google Home, Daydream VR, a Chromecast, and a Wi-Fi router at the event. There hasn’t been much news about Android Wear 2.0 since I/O, but it’s still in beta and expected to launch this fall.

Android, Inc. was founded in 2003, and Google bought the company in 2005. The first Android-powered handset, the HTC Dream, was released in 2008.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Julian Chokkattu
Julian Chokkattu
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Julian is the mobile and wearables editor at Digital Trends, covering smartphones, fitness trackers, smartwatches, and more…
Google Pixel 9: news, rumored price, release date, and more
Front and rear profile of leaked Google Pixel 9 renders.

The Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro are Google's latest and most powerful devices, but it won't be that way for long. Rumors of the Google Pixel 8a mean this pair of flagships will be supplanted as the latest Google phones fairly soon — but they'll be able to hold on to the title of "most powerful" for a little while longer. The Google Pixel 9 range, while definitely on the way, isn't due to arrive any time soon.

But when it does, it's sure to be a pair of blockbusters. Leaks for the Pixel 9 family are a little thin on the ground at the moment, but it seems as if Google is planning on making some big changes this time around. If leaks are correct, we expect a new look and some exciting new AI features that go beyond what we've seen before.

Read more
When is my phone getting Android 14? Here’s everything we know
Android 14 logo on the Google Pixel 8 Pro.

Android 14 is out now, and as usual, the first to get it was Google's own Pixel phone family. Not to be undone, Samsung pushed out its version of Android 14 — One UI 6 — after a relatively short beta period and has seemingly now completed its Android 14 rollout. Nothing, the new phone company on the block, has done the same. Now, we're just waiting for more news from Motorola, who has become the stick in the mud holding everyone up.

If you're rocking an Android phone that is still stuck on an old build, here's everything we know about official Android 14 rollout plans for all major brands available in the U.S. market. We recommend using your device's Find on page function to pinpoint your device on this list.

Read more
Android 15 has two hidden features you’re going to love
The Android 15 logo on a smartphone.

Android 15 is this year's big Android update, and based on what we've seen so far, it's going to be pretty tame. Just like Android 14, Android 15 isn't trying to overhaul or reimagine Android. Instead, it's all about fine-tuning things.

However, that doesn't mean there's nothing cool going on. I've been playing with the Android 15 developer preview for a little while now, and in doing so, I've stumbled across two underrated features that I think a lot of people are going to love.
Notification cooldown is a lifesaver

Read more