ChronoFive
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Setting the scene
Apple's iPhone had redefined smartphones around touchscreens and apps; Google acquired Android Inc. and backed an open platform so manufacturers could compete without licensing a closed system.
What happened
The first Android phone, the T-Mobile G1 (HTC Dream), launched in September 2008 with a slide-out physical keyboard, touchscreen, and access to the fledgling Android Market.
Why it still matters
Android became the world's dominant mobile operating system, powering devices from budget handsets to flagship Samsung Galaxies. Memorable detail: the G1 had no standard headphone jack in some regions and required an adapter.
Background
The slide-out keyboard challenged iPhone dominance.