Android is an open-source software stack for mobile devices that includes an operating system , middleware and key applications.[5][6] Google Inc. purchased the initial developer of the
software, Android Inc., in 2005.[7] Android's mobile operating system is based upon a modified version of the Linux kernel . Google and other members of the Open Handset Alliance collaborated on Android's development and release.[8][9] The Android Open Source Project (AOSP) is tasked
with the maintenance and
further development of Android. [10] Canalys reported that in Q4 2010 the Android operating
system was the world's best-
selling smartphone platform,
dethroning Nokia 's Symbian from the 10-year top position. [11][12] Jumping from 23.5 percent, Android now
represents 31.2 percent of the U.S smartphone market. [13] According to Gartner, Symbian is still slightly ahead on sales if
some legacy non-Nokia
Symbian smartphones are
included in the Q4 2010 figures. [14] Android has a large community
of developers writing application programs ("apps") that extend the functionality
of the devices. There are
currently over 150,000 apps available for Android. [15][16] Android Market is the online app store run by Google,
though apps can also be
downloaded from third-party sites. Developers write primarily in the Java language , controlling the device via
Google-developed Java
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