Biography of Android Founder Andy Rubin | Generated by AI
Question: Give a comprehensive introduction to Andy Rubin, Android’s founder.
Answer:
Andy Rubin, born Andrew E. Rubin on March 13, 1963, in Chappaqua, New York, is an American computer programmer, engineer, entrepreneur, and venture capitalist best known as the co-founder and “father” of the Android operating system, which powers the majority of smartphones worldwide.
Early Life and Education
Rubin grew up in Chappaqua and attended Horace Greeley High School. He earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Utica College (now Utica University) in 1986.
Early Career
His career in technology began at Carl Zeiss AG as a robotics engineer (1986–1989). He then worked at Apple as a manufacturing engineer (1989–1992), where colleagues nicknamed him “Android” due to his fascination with robots—a name that later inspired his most famous creation.
After Apple, he joined General Magic (an Apple spin-off), contributing to early mobile technologies like the Motorola Envoy wireless PDA and the Magic Cap OS. He later worked on WebTV (acquired by Microsoft) and other projects.
Key Ventures Before Android
In 1999, Rubin co-founded Danger Inc. with Matt Hershenson and Joe Britt. The company developed the Danger Hiptop, marketed as the T-Mobile Sidekick—a pioneering smartphone with PDA features, app capabilities, and cloud storage that gained cult popularity. Danger was acquired by Microsoft in 2008.
Founding Android and Time at Google
In 2003, Rubin co-founded Android Inc. in Palo Alto, California, aiming to create an open-source mobile operating system. Google acquired the company in 2005 for an undisclosed sum (reportedly around $50 million).
At Google (2005–2014), Rubin served as Senior Vice President of Mobile and Digital Content, leading Android’s development and growth. Under his leadership, Android became the world’s dominant mobile OS, surpassing a billion users. From 2013, he briefly headed Google’s robotics division, overseeing acquisitions like Boston Dynamics.
Rubin left Google in October 2014. Publicly presented as voluntary, reports later revealed it followed a credible internal investigation into sexual misconduct allegations (including coercing an employee into oral sex in 2013). Google reportedly paid him a $90 million exit package, sparking controversy and contributing to the 2018 Google employee walkouts.
Post-Google Career
After leaving Google, Rubin co-founded Playground Global in 2015, a venture capital firm and incubator focused on AI, hardware, and deep tech (raised hundreds of millions, with investors including Google). He served as CEO until 2019, when he departed amid ongoing personal controversies.
In 2015, he also founded Essential Products, launching the Essential Phone (PH-1) in 2017—a premium Android device with modular accessories. Despite initial hype, it struggled commercially. Essential shut down in February 2020 without releasing further products.
Controversies
Rubin’s later career was overshadowed by allegations of sexual misconduct. Beyond the Google investigation, a 2019 unsealed court filing from his divorce alleged he maintained “ownership relationships” with women (paying for expenses in exchange for sexual arrangements, including alleged involvement in a “sex ring”). Rubin has denied wrongdoing, calling allegations false.
Recent Activities
As of late 2025, reports indicate Rubin is working on a stealth humanoid robotics startup called Genki Robotics in Tokyo, Japan, developing prototypes for active, everyday robots. He remains a figure in tech innovation, particularly in mobile, AI, and robotics.
Rubin’s contributions revolutionized mobile computing, making smartphones accessible and open-source driven, but his legacy is complex due to professional achievements intertwined with personal controversies.
References:
- Wikipedia: Andy Rubin
- The New York Times: How Google Protected Andy Rubin
- The Verge: Essential Shutting Down
- The Information (via reports): Genki Robotics