Happy Birthday Android

Android turned 5 today. The open source operating system for touchscreens (smartphones and tablets) has completed five years of its existence today.

Coming from Google and having survived the toughest competition from Apple iOS, Android has managed to not only gain a major market share in the smartphone and tablet OS segment but has also managed to garner support from a large community of developers and gadget lovers.

The fifth birthday for Android comes along with a good news for Android lovers. Android has managed to take over 75 percent of the Smartphone market in the 3rd quarter (Q3). The statistics comes from the research firm IDC which shows a significant lead over Apple iOS by Android. Apple iOS is around 15 percent of the market share for smartphones and tablets.

Though the market share has not changed much for iOS (14 percent a year ago), Android's market share has taken a significant lead to 75 percent from 58 percent a year ago.

Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean) is the latest version which has come a long way since 2007 when the first version was announced along with the formation of the Open Handset Alliance.

Here is the press release from IDC: Android Marks Fourth Anniversary Since Launch with 75.0% Market Share in Third Quarter, According to IDC