It's crazy to think that I started Phandroid before Android phones existed. It wasn't until a year later – in 2007 – that I unboxed the world's first Android phone. That was 10+ years ago and I couldn't have predicted all the amazing moments, adventures, and people I'd encounter in the 10+ years that followed. They've been the best years of my life.
In that time our team has amassed a library of 35,000+ articles and 7,250,000+ forum posts (AndroidForums.com). We built and operate top-rated apps (Forums, Phandroid News, EarlyBird) with millions of downloads. We've produced thousands of videos and have millions of followers on social media. And best of all, we had more fun doing it than you can possibly imagine.
It's been a great ride, but I'm ready for a new and different challenge, so it's with bittersweet sentiments that I announce our properties are for sale. The sites and apps are here to stay, but I'm inviting offers from interested parties (contact rob@phandroid.com) in hopes of finding the perfect suitor to steer the ship.
It's times like these that a nostalgic look back is appropriate. I have way too many "favorite moments" to make a worthy list of the top ones, so I thought it'd be fun to select 5 Historic Phandroid moments you may or may not remember depending on when you started reading:
Being The World's First Android Site
On November 5th, 2007, Google announced Android. On November 6th, 2007, Wired.com reported that "Android already has Phandroids", officially making phandroid.com the first documented website reporting exclusively on Android news.
Let's not forget that Android had many critics and detractors before it hit the mainstream in 2009 with the Verizon-released Motorola Droid. Years after Android's initial announcement, supporting Android wasn't the popular thing to do. I definitely take some pride in knowing I was first to the punch as it played a big part in our success.
Unboxing The World's First Android Phone
After growing a website covering what many deemed vaporware, I was more excited than you can possibly imagine to unbox the T-Mobile G1 (aka HTC Dream). The video quality is god awful and the content is 100% amateur boyish excitement, but it had been the culmination of much hard work and effort.
iPhone vs Android (Round 1)
Apple and Google have been battling for smartphone dominance for what seems like eternity, but it's funny to note that Google execs bragged they'd outsell the iPhone before an Android phone even existed!
In this article from 2008, Rich Miner explains why Android would outsell the iPhone, but laments that developers should develop for both platforms- hitting the nail on the head.
Heated competition is what helped mobile tech grow so rapidly and it's been fun to follow this rivalry over the past 10+ years.
Original Galaxy S Launch Event
We didn't know how dominant the Samsung Galaxy S lineup would eventually become when it was first announced in 2010, but we quickly learned that Samsung had a knack for throwing the best device release events/parties in the industry. At their relatively small NYC unveil, rapper B.O.B. got on stage to perform some of his hits.
This performance, coupled with my relative newbness in the industry at the time, made the Galaxy S launch party my favorite device launch event of all-time, without question.
Rapping for Android
Samsung and B.O.B. aren't the only people dropping bars for Android. Expecting a flood of users needing help after the release of the T-Mobile G1, I released a geek rap track called "G1 Love" to capture the interest of early Android lovers and gather them on Android Forums.
It worked pretty well… garnering 100k views and being named to several "best" lists for geeky rap songs that year. Most importantly, it attracted in influx of users to Android Forums that would help the site become the premiere destination for Android help and support.
What's Next?
Our talented team isn't changing and will continue doing their thing. It's simply time for me to pass the torch to a new leader, with new ideas and inspiration, who can take our properties to new heights. I'll make sure to keep you updated with any developments, but for now, back to your regularly scheduled Android programming!
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