Andy Rubin, whose full name is Andrew E. Rubin, was born on March 13, 1963, in Chappaqua, New York, United States. He is an American computer engineer, programmer, entrepreneur, and investor known for co-founding Android Inc. in 2003. After Google acquired Android in 2005, Rubin led the development of the mobile operating system until 2013. He had previously co-founded Danger Inc., the company behind the Hiptop smartphone, marketed as the T-Mobile Sidekick. Following his departure from Google in 2014, he established the venture capital company Playground Global and the consumer electronics manufacturer Essential Products. He was inducted into the Wireless Hall of Fame in 2019.

Early Life and Education

Andy Rubin grew up in Chappaqua, New York. His father worked as a psychologist before establishing a direct-marketing business specializing in electronic products. As a result, Rubin was exposed to computers and electronic devices from an early age.

He attended Horace Greeley High School in Chappaqua and later studied computer science at Utica College, graduating in 1986.

During his university years, he developed an interest in computer programming, telecommunications, and robotics.

Early Career at Carl Zeiss, Apple and General Magic

After graduating in 1986, Andy Rubin began working in robotics at Carl Zeiss in Switzerland.

In 1989, he joined Apple Inc. as a manufacturing engineer. His interest in robots earned him the nickname "Android" among his colleagues, a name he later used for his mobile software company.

In 1992, Rubin moved to General Magic, a technology company established by former Apple employees to develop software and devices for mobile computing.

At General Magic, he worked on Magic Cap, an operating system designed for handheld personal digital assistants. The project explored mobile communication, electronic messaging, and applications before smartphones became widely available.

Following General Magic, Rubin joined Artemis Research, which developed the television-based internet service WebTV. The business was acquired by Microsoft in 1997, and Rubin continued working on its technology.

Danger Inc. and the Sidekick Smartphone

In 1999, Andy Rubin co-founded Danger Inc. with Joe Britt and Matt Hershenson. The company developed hardware, software, and internet services for mobile communication.

Danger introduced the Hiptop, a handheld device that combined mobile telephone functions with internet access, email, instant messaging, and applications.

The product reached the American market in 2002 under the name T-Mobile Sidekick. Its physical keyboard, rotating display, and internet services distinguished it from many contemporary mobile phones.

Rubin served as Danger's chief executive before leaving in 2003 to establish another technology company. Microsoft subsequently acquired Danger in 2008.

Founding Android Inc.

In October 2003, Andy Rubin founded Android Inc. in Palo Alto, California, with Rich Miner, Nick Sears, and Chris White as his co-founders.

The company's original concept was an operating system for connected digital cameras that could upload and store photographs through online services.

After examining the market, Rubin and his colleagues redirected the project toward mobile telephones. Their objective was to develop a software platform that could be used by different device manufacturers.

The team adopted the Linux kernel as the foundation of the operating system and pursued a model that would allow hardware companies to use the platform without paying conventional operating-system licensing fees.

In 2005, Google acquired Android Inc. Rubin and the other founders joined Google to continue developing the platform.

Google and the Development of Android

Following the acquisition, Andy Rubin became the executive responsible for Android development at Google.

The operating system was designed to support mobile applications, internet connectivity, and a range of hardware configurations.

In November 2007, Google and several technology and telecommunications companies announced the Open Handset Alliance, an industry group supporting the Android platform.

The first commercially available Android smartphone, the HTC Dream, marketed in the United States as the T-Mobile G1, was released in September 2008.

Android subsequently became available on smartphones manufactured by companies including Samsung, Motorola, HTC, Sony, and LG. The operating system was later adapted for tablets, televisions, wearable devices, and automotive systems.

Rubin remained responsible for Android until March 13, 2013, when Google announced that Sundar Pichai would assume leadership of the division.

Google's Robotics Projects

After leaving the Android division, Andy Rubin took responsibility for Google's robotics initiatives.

During this period, Google acquired several robotics companies, including Boston Dynamics and the Japanese robotics developer Schaft.

The projects explored industrial automation, mobile robotics, and technologies intended to improve the ability of robots to operate in complex environments.

On October 30, 2014, Rubin left Google and returned to independent technology development and investment.

Playground Global

In 2015, Andy Rubin co-founded Playground Global with Peter Barrett, Matt Hershenson, and Bruce Leak.

Based in Silicon Valley, the company combined venture capital investment with technical support for early-stage businesses.

Its investment activities focused on technologies including artificial intelligence, robotics, advanced computing, and hardware engineering.

Rubin initially served as a managing partner. In October 2019, Playground Global confirmed that he had left the company earlier that year and that his ownership interest had been purchased.

The company continued operating without Rubin.

Essential Products and the Essential Phone

In 2015, Andy Rubin established Essential Products, a consumer electronics company headquartered in Palo Alto, California.

In May 2017, the company introduced its first smartphone, the Essential Phone PH-1. The device featured a titanium frame, ceramic back, and a display with a small cutout for the front-facing camera.

The Essential Phone went on sale in August 2017. Its design also included a modular accessory connection system.

The company announced Essential Home, a smart home device intended to operate with a software platform known as Ambient OS, but the product did not reach commercial release.

Essential subsequently developed a concept called Project GEM, featuring an unusually narrow smartphone design. Although prototypes were demonstrated, the product was never sold.

On February 12, 2020, Essential announced that it was closing because it could not establish a commercially viable way to bring Project GEM to market.

Controversy Surrounding His Departure from Google

In October 2018, The New York Times reported that Andy Rubin had left Google in 2014 following an internal investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct involving a female employee.

According to the newspaper's reporting, Google investigators had found the employee's account credible. The report also stated that Google had agreed to pay Rubin approximately $90 million as part of his departure arrangement.

Rubin's spokesperson denied the misconduct allegations and maintained that his departure had been voluntary. His representatives also disputed aspects of the reporting.

The revelations prompted criticism of Google's handling of misconduct allegations involving senior executives. In November 2018, thousands of Google employees participated in protests calling for changes to the company's workplace policies.

Rubin's departure from Playground Global in 2019 occurred amid continuing public discussion of the allegations and his divorce proceedings.

Personal Life

Andy Rubin was married to Rie Hirabaru. Their marriage ended in divorce.

He has maintained an interest in robotics throughout his professional career, including collecting and developing robotic devices.

Professional Career

1986–1989 – Carl Zeiss – Robotics Engineer
1989–1992 – Apple Inc. – Manufacturing Engineer
1992–1995 – General Magic – Engineer
1995–1999 – WebTV – Engineering and Product Development
1999–2003 – Danger Inc. – Co-founder and Chief Executive
2003–2005 – Android Inc. – Co-founder
2005–2013 – Google – Head of Android
2013–2014 – Google – Robotics Division
2015–2019 – Playground Global – Co-founder and Managing Partner
2015–2020 – Essential Products – Founder and Chief Executive

Awards and Recognition

2019 – Wireless Hall of Fame – Inducted for contributions to mobile computing and the development of Android

Source: Biyografiler.com