Android is an open source operating system developed by Google that runs on a variety of devices from phones to tablets. It uses a modified Linux kernel and other open source software. Google purchased Android in 2005 and launched the Open Handset Alliance to develop open standards for mobile devices. Android is designed to be adapted for different hardware configurations and includes features like an app store, notifications, and integration with Google services. It has seen many updates over the years from versions 1.0 to the current version 10.