Contemporary · North America · Technology

2008

Android arrives

September 23, 2008

T-Mobile launched the G1, the first phone to run Google's open-source Android operating system, to a modest reception. It was clunky and homely next to Apple's sleek iPhone, but free for any manufacturer to use and customize. Within five years Android had eaten three quarters of the global smartphone market. The mobile era's second great platform was born.

More from 2008 Contemporary

In context

Also in 2008 (6 other events on record)

Lehman Brothers collapses · North America · Politics
Obama wins the presidency · North America · Politics
Beijing Olympics open · East Asia · Culture
Bitcoin whitepaper appears · North America · Technology
Mumbai attacks · South Asia · War
Sichuan earthquake · East Asia · Disaster

Before and after in North America

Before: May 1, 2007: Subprime cracks appear
After: January 15, 2009: Miracle on the Hudson

Before and after in Technology

Before: January 9, 2007: iPhone unveiled
After: January 27, 2010: iPad unveiled

Era

Contemporary (2001–2026), one of 196 events from that era on Saeculum.

Sources

Wikipedia: Android (operating system)