Android is an open-source software stack for mobile phones and other devices.
Origin and Goal
Android was originated by a group of companies known as the Open Handset Alliance, led by Google. Today, many companies -- both original members of the OHA and others -- have invested heavily in Android, typically in the form of allocating significant engineering resources to improve Android and bring Android devices to Market.
We created Android in response to our own experiences launching mobile apps. We wanted to make sure that there would always be an open platform available for carriers, OEMs, and developers to use to make their innovative ideas a reality. We wanted to make sure that there was no central point of failure, where one industry player could restrict or control the innovations of any other. The solution we chose was an open and open-source platform.
The goal of the Android Open Source Project is to create a successful real-world product that improves the mobile experience for end users.
Governance Philosophy
The companies that have invested in Android have done so on its merits, because we believe that an open platform is necessary. Android is intentionally and explicitly an open-source -- as opposed to free software -- effort: a group of organizations with shared needs has pooled resources to collaborate on a single implementation of a shared product. The Android philosophy is pragmatic, first and foremost. The objective is a shared product that each contributor can tailor and customize.
Uncontrolled customization can, of course, lead to incompatible implementations. To prevent this, the AOSP also maintains the Android Compatibility Program, which spells out what it means to be "Android compatible", and what is required of device builders to achieve that status. Anyone can (and will!) use the Android source code for any purpose, and we welcome all such uses. However, in order to take part in the shared ecosystem of applications that we are building around Android, device builders must participate in the Compatibility Program.
Though Android consists of multiple sub-projects, this is strictly a project-management technique. We view and manage Android as a single, holistic software product, not a "distribution", specification, or collection of replaceable parts. Our intent is that device builders port Android to a device; they don't implement a specification or curate a distribution.
How We Work
We know that quality does not come without hard work. Along with many partners, Google has contributed full-time engineers, product managers, UI designers, Quality Assurance, and all the other roles required to bring modern devices to market. We roll the open source administration and maintenance into the larger product development cycle.
- At any given moment, there is a current latest release of the Android platform. This typically takes the form of a branch in the tree.
- Device builders and Contributors work with the current latest release, fixing bugs, launching new devices, experimenting with new features, and so on.
- In parallel, Google works internally on the next version of the Android platform and framework, working according to the product's needs and goals. We develop the next version of Android by working with a device partner on a flagship device whose specifications are chosen to push Android in the direction we believe it should go.
- When the "n+1"th version is ready, it will be published to the public source tree, and become the new latest release.