Skip to Content

Andy Rubin Steps Down as Head of Android, Takes on New Role at Google

by

andy_rubin_headshotGoogle CEO Larry Page today announced that Andy Rubin is stepping down as head of the company's Android division, turning over the reins to Sundar Pichai, who has led Google's Chrome and Apps efforts.

Sergey and I first heard about Android back in 2004, when Andy Rubin came to visit us at Google. He believed that aligning standards around an open-source operating system would drive innovation across the mobile industry. Most people thought he was nuts. But his insight immediately struck a chord because at the time it was extremely painful developing services for mobile devices.

Rubin will remain with Google, heading up unspecified new products.

Rubin, who spent several years at Apple as an engineer, co-founded Android in 2003 and remained at the head of those efforts following Google's acquisition of Android in August 2005. Apple has claimed that a key Android framework was inspired by his work at Apple, although the company has refrained from pressing that issue in court as it has focused its legal battles on manufacturers of Android-based handsets rather Android itself.

In his post, Page also shares some new Android statistics, revealing that over 750 million Android devices have been activated worldwide and that over 25 billion apps have been downloaded from the Google Play marketplace.

Top Rated Comments

roxxette Avatar
170 months ago
Andy Rubin. AKA, corrupt, thieving, lying, stool Pidgin.

Thermonuclear Andy, Thermonuclear. :apple:

----------



Nice. ;)

Stop making a fool of yourself :(
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Oletros Avatar
170 months ago
Andy Rubin. AKA, corrupt, thieving, lying, stool Pidgin.

And I like when people says more about themselves that they say about the people they trying to slander
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
170 months ago
Did Google just copy Apple's Forstall ouster?
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Shrink Avatar
170 months ago
lol he even copies job's looks

There's a lawsuit in there somewhere.

Two eye, a nose, a mouth...just like Jobs!:eek:

:D
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Oletros Avatar
170 months ago
I have worked with him before. He is a horrible horrible person.

And he kills puppies :rolleyes:
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
170 months ago
Yeah right!

"...when Andy Rubin came to visit us at Google. He believed that aligning standards around an open-source operating system would drive innovation across the mobile industry."

More like, "Hey, I´m working on some cool frameworks for Apple´s new mobile OS. I can give them to you if I run the Android division."
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Apple Event Logo

Apple Released Seven New Products Today

Wednesday March 11, 2026 7:05 am PDT by
Starting today, the seven new Apple products that were announced last week are available at Apple Stores and beginning to arrive to customers. The colorful MacBook Neo and all of the other new products are on display at most Apple Store locations around the world starting today. Apple Stores have inventory of the new products for both walk-in customers and Apple Store pickup, but...
ios 26 4 yellow

Everything New in iOS 26.4 Beta 4

Monday March 9, 2026 3:50 pm PDT by
Apple is continuing to test the iOS 26.4 beta, and the latest update is now available for developers and public beta testers. As testing goes on, there are fewer new features in each beta, but today’s release adds new emoji characters and a few other changes. New Emoji Apple added new emoji characters, including trombone, treasure chest, distorted face, hairy creature, fight cloud, orca,...
Apple 50 Years of Thinking Different

Apple Announces 50th Anniversary Plans

Thursday March 12, 2026 6:10 am PDT by
Apple today announced that it will celebrate the company's 50th anniversary over the coming weeks, but it has yet to reveal any specific plans. Apple was founded on April 1, 1976, so the company will turn 50 on April 1, 2026. "While Apple is known for looking forward, this milestone offers a special moment to reflect on the journey that has brought the company here, to celebrate the...