Android is an open-source software platform and operating system for mobile devices based on the Linux kernel. It was developed by Android Inc. which was purchased by Google in 2005. Android allows developers to write applications for the platform using the Java programming language. It supports a variety of connectivity options including WiFi, Bluetooth, and cellular networks. Some key features of Android include an intuitive interface, access to millions of apps, support for various media formats, and the ability to easily develop apps. While Android and iOS are the dominant mobile operating systems, Android has seen much faster growth in recent years and may surpass iOS in worldwide market share in the near future.