Today, Android is the operating system installed on 85% of mobile devices and the heart of a million-dollar industry, but there was a time when Android was just an idea, and one that not everyone was confident would succeed. Today, on the tenth anniversary of the first official release of Android, we return to the year 2004, when Android was still in diapers. This Android, then an operating system for digital cameras, did not really convince investors. The future of Android hangs by a thread or, more precisely, $10,000. Beginnings are never easy. Digital cameras were the initial destination, but in 2004 the camera industry's growth began to decline, so Andy Rubin recycled the idea. Five months later, Andy was talking about Android as an operating system for "handheld devices." Investors drove Andy Rubin crazy The father of Android dreamed of changing the landscape of mobile devices since the year 2000. At that time, major mobile carriers controlled the industry with a hand of steel and a closed philosophy. Andy Rubin envisioned just the opposite: an open source operating system that anyone could modify and use at no cost. Many thought it was an impossible idea. Xpress The original Android did not face the iPhone (which would not see the light of day until 2007) but systems like the Nokia Symbian S40. Knowing that at the time it was facing giants like Nokia with Symbian or Microsoft with Windows Mobile, it is understandable the distrust of investors. According to Business Insider, one investor opined to Andy Rubin that "he should sell at least a million of these things to cover expenses; he's trying to boil the ocean." About to be kicked out of the office Foundersandroid Left to right: Andy Rubin, Rich Miner, Nick Sears and Chris White: the founders of Android Without attracting the attention of investors to cover costs, the small Android startup , made up of not only Andy Rubin but also Rich Miner, Nick Sears and Chris White, was not having the best time. The pending payments began to pile up to the point that the office owner began threatening to evict them if they were not informed of the pending payments. That's when a desperate Andy Rubin made an emergency call to his friend Steve Perlman. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”? Get the original essay “My first Android”: this is how we in the Xataka Android team began our relationship with the platform that turns ten The man who saved Android Steve Perlman Andy Rubin and Steve Perlman were known for working at Apple in the early 90s. In addition to Apple, Perlman had worked on creating components for the Megadrive consoles and Super Nintendo, on WebTV (purchased by Microsoft) and since 1999 he chaired the Rearden technology business incubator (which is still active). In 2004, Steve Perlman received a call from his friend Andy Rubin. Although it was difficult for him to ask for money again, his Android startup was in trouble and he had no choice but to do so. The situation was untenable: liquidity was running out and they were unable to attract new investors. Ten years of Android, ten years of desserts: these are the names that stuck along the way. Steve Perlman agreed to transfer money as soon as he could. to which a nervous Andy Rubin responded that "if it can be sooner, it's better." With multiple payments pending, the office owner was no longer working for yet another delay. Andyrubin?