Andy Rubin is widely regarded as the creator of Android, the world’s most-used mobile operating system. His work has shaped the global smartphone industry and influenced how billions use technology daily.
Early Life and Education
Born on March 13, 1963, in Chappaqua, New York, Rubin was exposed to technology early through his father’s electronics business. He graduated from Horace Greeley High School and earned a degree in computer science from Utica College in 1986.
Career Beginnings
Rubin began his career as a robotics engineer at Carl Zeiss AG. From 1989 to 1992, he worked at Apple, where his passion for robotics earned him the nickname “Android” — a name he would later use for his groundbreaking project.
Founding Android
In 1999, Rubin co-founded Danger Inc., known for the T-Mobile Sidekick. After leaving Danger, he founded Android Inc. in 2003 to develop an open-source mobile platform. Google acquired Android Inc. in 2005, marking a turning point in mobile technology.
Android’s Rise at Google
As Senior Vice President at Google, Rubin led the development of Android. Under his leadership, Android evolved into the dominant global mobile operating system. He left the Android team in 2013 and exited Google in 2014.
Later Ventures
Rubin founded Playground Global, a venture capital firm backing new tech startups. He also launched Essential Products, a smartphone company, in 2015. Despite high expectations, Essential shut down in 2020.
Recognition
In 2019, Rubin was inducted into the Wireless Hall of Fame for his role in mobile innovation. While later years brought some controversy, his legacy as the “Father of Android” remains intact.
