Android is an open-source, Linux-based operating system developed by Google and the Open Handset Alliance for mobile devices. It allows manufacturers to use and customize the Android platform without paying royalties. The document discusses the history and development of Android, from its origins at Android Inc. to the various versions named after desserts. It covers the features and capabilities of Android, as well as both the advantages of being open-source and customizable, and the disadvantages like sometimes being slow or having malware.