Android is a mobile software platform and operating system based on the Linux kernel, developed by Andy Rubin and his team in 2003 and purchased by Google in 2005. It is supported by the Open Handset Alliance, which includes 84 companies, and allows for the development of applications across different hardware. Android has evolved through multiple versions, enhancing user experience and functionality, and is widely recognized as the leading mobile operating system with potential for further growth in various technology sectors.