Today, we begin a series of articles on the history of the development of Android. The first part will begin with a history, with how the system originated and what is the mobile market of the time. In truth, many users are not even interested in the matter, they were not interested in the development of what are today millions of users around the world. Let us finally realize what the real Android.
Start would like from the time when Android is not even planned. Outside it was in 2005. Then the market got very popular smart phones based on Symbian, Windows Mobile devices and the company BlackBerry. Already at that time the phones were not stupid, and they may well be called a smartphone. Now, of course, for us, these times seem very far away and long forgotten, but it is not.
By the way, at the same time was not yet even Twitter, YouTube is considered doubtful startup, however, Vista then The numbers in the ranks of the innovative operating system, and Apple is actively denied that the development of iPhone.
The most popular and innovative devaysa that time were considered notebooks, which today, unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, become a victim of the other, more convenient means of communication.
Andy Rubin and Danger
A few years ago, before there was Android, the company existed Danger, which was founded by former Apple engineer Andy Rubin. Andy was born in 1962, grew up in New York (Chappaqua). He was the son of a psychologist, who soon founded his own firm. As a child, Ruby interested BBS (computer users a way to communicate through a public switched telephone network).
It’s hot Draganik, a former colleague of Rubin Apple: «Classic Rubin approach is this: You are doing something it is only in order to do it because it’s cool … »
The main achievement was the development of the company’s smartphone Hiptop. The unit had lendskeyp keyboard, as well as software with which you can instantly share messages, surf the Internet and send e-mail. In partnership with T-Mobile Danger Hiptop renamed in the Sidekick.
The device became popular, thanks to its unique business model, which is significantly different from other business models of the time. Soon, however, Larry Page and Sergey Brin spotted a company, the interest of wider dissemination of the search engine from Google. Then, for unknown reasons, Andy Rubin was removed as head of Danger, and soon created a new company. Its purpose was to develop a completely open platform.
Ground Android Inc.
The company Android is not produced or released any products for two years. At this time, a small team of Rubin software engineers trying to create a new generation of software for smartphones, and the main parameters is the open source code. In general, Android become more logical continuation of all that has been achieved Rubin in Danger.
Investors quickly picked up the idea of the company and began to support it, at the same time, Google on the Android saw what she needed. She needed company developing smart phones to win over Microsoft and BlackBerry. Page and Brin wanted to see more devices on the market with the search engine from Google, because even then services is of great importance, and Android as a platform open source ideally suited to the requirements of the founders of Google. And in July 2005, Google bought the company Android Inc. for $ 50 million.
The first prototypes
However, it should be understood that the hardware without software is useless. How many of you remember what a smartphone based on Android was the first? Your answer probably incorrect. The very first prototype of the first Android-smartphone was a Sooner. The device looks very similar to the devices of BlackBerry, because it had a full QWERTY-keyboard.
The device was equipped with a screen with a resolution of 320 x 240, 1.3 megapixel camera, 64 MB of RAM, as well as support GPRS, a removable battery, and even a slot for SD-card.
The reason for having a full keyboard and non-touch screen is the reluctance of consumers to switch to touch smartphones. Even the iPhone initially evaluated a few.
Graeme Wheeler, director of services and products of HTC Europe, said that the cooperation with Google for HTC was quite risky, because if the market plays a significant role Microsoft and its Windows Mobile , and Google at that time was not in the best of terms with the latter. However, HTC decided to take the risk of great importance in this was a personal acquaintance of Peter Chou (CEO HTC, which has recently been removed from office) and Andy Rubin from the time of Danger. HTC saw prospect in Android, because the development of the system, emphasis was placed on access to the Internet, Andy wanted to give people a chance to “put” the Internet in their pockets.
«I remember their emotions then. We know what is at stake is something big. Behind all this was Google. I think we know that there is a certain potential – give users the experience of using the Internet, to give people a platform and administrator rights, and the freedom that we have as a manufacturer, to promote innovation. Google’s strategy was significantly different from the strategy of Microsoft: Okay, we’re giving you a platform, and you can make changes. We want you to – HTC – make changes, “- Graham.
Effect iPhone
We can not deny the impact of the iPhone on the development of Android, in particular, we are talking about a prototype Sooner. Yes, iPhone was not the first full touch smartphone on the market, but Apple has managed to rethink the uses of smartphones, making a bet on the tenderness and the touchscreen. However, then – in January 2007, when the show iPhone 2G, – heads of many leading companies of the time unflattering comments about the new Apple product, and even grinned.
Steve Ballmer – the then head of Microsoft – made fun of iPhone for a high Price, operator constraints, as well as for low data rate. Manufacturer BlackBerry – RIM – also reacted with disdain to the output of iPhone.
However, just Google understood the seriousness of what is happening. And while derided brainchild Apple, boiled in Google working on a new smartphone. What happened to the Sooner? From it had to be abandoned.
«As a consumer, I was just amazed. I’d like iPhone immediately. However, as an engineer Google, I think that we need to start all over again … We had a smartphone that looks like a phone 90s … and it was a case when everything seemed obvious, “- Chris DeSalvo.
Andy’s reaction was no less interesting:
«yadrena Matryona! I think we should not start delivery of the phone (Sooner) ».
It was then decided to launch a touchscreen HTC Dream (T-Mobile G1). However, we would like to see and Sooner, because the device looks very attractive appearance to this day. Of course, iPhone played a crucial role in the development of Android, and this is a case where healthy competition lets go innovative products ahead of schedule, even taking into account the unwillingness of consumers to use the product.
HTC Dream
HTC Dream has become one of the most innovative smartphones that time. Externally, the device resembled a Sidekick. Technically, he probably does not seem like so advanced, but at that time it was enough to maintain a relatively fast operation of the system. Dream equipped with single-core processor with a clock frequency of 528 MHz, 192 MB RAM, 3.2-inch display with a resolution of 320 x 480.
HTC Dream was sold around the world, in contrast to the original version G1, which was attached to the operator T-Mobile. Google has enabled HTC G1 sell under its own brand. HTC Dream was the perfect smartphone based on Android. Why? Because Google has decided to take a risk.
On materials androidcentral
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