Key Difference: Android is an open source, free, Linux-based operating system for smartphones and tablets. The system was designed and developed by Android Inc., which was funded and later purchased by Google in 2005. Windows is a series of graphical user interfaces developed and marketed by Microsoft. The windows system is divided among different types of operating systems: Phone, Tablets and PCs.

Smartphones have been around for a while with many companies launching new telephonic services called their phones a smartphone. However, the term was coined by Ericsson in 1997 when it introduced its GS 88 ‘Penelope’ concept. Prior to the Android vs. iPhone vs. Windows debate, people would have to carry two devices a phone for making calls and a palm pilot or a personal digital assistant (PDA) for appointments. Then Android and iPhone stepped into the market in the late 2000s and a lot of changes were made bringing technology to the point we are now. While, many people believed that Android was a just a rookie gearing up to fail, not many people saw that it would become one of the most popular smartphone OS in the market. This has also caused many other companies to step up and challenge Android. Windows has recently launched the Windows 8 Mobile systems and is currently a popular OS among Nokia fans. Android and Windows are two different operating systems that run on phones, smartphones and tablets.

Android is an open source software, which means that the code is freely available under the Apache License for modification and distribution by device manufacturers, wireless carriers and enthusiast developers. Android was first unveiled in 2007 and the first phone running on Android, HTC Dream, was sold in October 2008. As the Android is open source software, manufacturers can modify the operating system to suit their respective needs and phones. This becomes a cheap and feasible alternative for the manufacturer, as opposed to developing an operating system in-house or hiring a software company to do it.

Among the number of various companies, Google has also launched its own line of smartphones based on Android, called the Google Nexus. Each device in the Nexus line is produced via collaboration between Google and a leading original equipment manufacturer (OEM) partner. Traditionally, each new Nexus phone is launched with a new version of Android and provides the unadulterated Android experience.

Windows is a series of graphical user interfaces developed and marketed by Microsoft. The windows system is divided among different types of operating systems: Phone, Tablets and PCs. Windows was introduced as a PC operating system on November 20, 1985 for MS-DOS. It is currently the most popular operating system on PCs and is catching up in smartphones and tablets. The company’s most recent versions of Windows for all types of devices include: Windows 8, Windows Phone 8, Windows Server 2012 and Windows Embedded 8 Industry. Windows 8 is the latest operating system for PCs and Laptops and has a whole new look. The company has installed the Live Tiles ‘Metro’ design, which allows users to easily find all what they are looking for in one place. The Live Tiles also offer automatic updates and shows users any new incoming messages, emails or notifications.

The Windows Phone 8 is OS that runs on the upcoming Windows phones. The Windows Phone 8 has the same Live Tiles format that shows users all their notifications on one page. The system also allows users to pick and place their own applications on the Live Tiles. The Windows RT version is a Windows 8 version for tablets and netbooks. It is optimized for thin and light PCs and aims at maximizing battery life. Windows Server 2012 is the sixth release of the Windows Server. Unlike Windows 8, the server was only made available to MSDN subscribers. It offers graphical user interface (GUI) based on Metro design language and a new Server Manager, a graphical application used for server management. Windows Embedded 8 Industry is an operating system that is designed for the Windows Embedded line of products. It is commonly used for Automated Teller Machines and Self-service checkouts. 

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