Android Central

Android Central is a technology journalism website covering the Android operating system and the products, services, companies, and ecosystems built around it. Its editorial output includes breaking news, product reviews, buying advice, how-to guides, opinion pieces, and reporting on developments in mobile technology. Although Android remains its central subject, the publication also covers Google, Android TV and streaming, Wear OS, Chrome OS, Gemini, and newer device categories such as Android XR and virtual- and mixed-reality products in the Meta Quest range. The site was launched in September 2008 by Smartphone Experts, a company later known as Mobile Nations. Dieter Bohn, who subsequently became a founding editor of The Verge, helped guide the launch. Android Central's first published article appeared on 25 September 2008 and concerned the T-Mobile G1, an early Android smartphone. This beginning placed the publication close to the first generation of commercial Android hardware, when the platform was still establishing its identity against competing mobile operating systems. Over time, Android Central developed from an Android-focused news site into a broader editorial destination for users of Android phones, tablets, wearables, televisions, Chromebooks, streaming services, and emerging spatial-computing products. Its coverage combines rapid publication of platform and product news with longer-form reviews and practical guidance intended to help readers choose, configure, and use technology. The publication has also pursued exclusive reporting and early product access. Examples cited in reference material include an early look at the 2013 Nexus 7 tablet and coverage of the HTC Merge, a handset that was close to release but was ultimately rarely seen in the market. A major corporate change occurred in 2019, when Future plc acquired Mobile Nations for $60 million. Android Central consequently became part of Future's portfolio of specialist media brands. The site continues to operate as a distinct editorial publication within that broader company structure. In September 2023, Canadian technology journalist Shruti Shekar became editor-in-chief, succeeding Jeramy Johnson. Shekar has also appeared as a technology commentator on Canada's CBC network. Android Central's audience proposition is specialist authority combined with practical consumer usefulness. It serves readers who want news about Android and Google platforms, evaluations of phones and related hardware, explanations of software features, and recommendations for purchases or upgrades. According to the publication's archive, it produces approximately 280 to 450 articles per month on average. SimilarWeb data cited in reference material recorded approximately 4.7 million visitors in January 2025, although such audience figures are third-party estimates and may change over time.

Android Central was established in September 2008 by Smartphone Experts, the company later known as Mobile Nations. The launch was guided by Dieter Bohn, a technology journalist who later became one of the founding editors of The Verge. The publication entered the market during Android's formative period, when manufacturers and carriers were beginning to introduce the first generation of commercially available Android phones. The site's first article was published on 25 September 2008 by Casey Chan. It discussed the T-Mobile G1, the first commercially released Android phone, and reflected Android Central's original focus on explaining and reporting on the new platform and its hardware ecosystem. As Android expanded across manufacturers, carriers, tablets, televisions, watches, and other connected products, Android Central broadened its editorial scope accordingly. The publication's work has included daily technology reporting, reviews, tutorials, product comparisons, opinion, and exclusive or early-access coverage. Reference material identifies an early look at the 2013 Nexus 7 tablet and reporting about the HTC Merge as examples of its product scoops. These stories helped establish the site as a specialist source for Android hardware and platform news rather than merely a general technology blog. Android Central's subject area later came to include Google services and hardware, Android TV and streaming, Wear OS, Chrome OS, Gemini, and Android XR. It also covers virtual- and mixed-reality products associated with the Meta Quest range. This expansion follows the increasing overlap among smartphones, operating systems, wearable devices, streaming platforms, computers, artificial-intelligence services, and spatial-computing hardware. In 2019, Future plc acquired Mobile Nations for $60 million. The transaction placed Android Central under Future's ownership alongside other specialist media properties. Android Central retained its own publication identity while operating within the larger company's portfolio. In September 2023, Shruti Shekar became editor-in-chief, succeeding Jeramy Johnson. Shekar is a Canadian technology journalist who has also appeared as a guest technology expert on CBC. The publication remains active and continues to publish news, reviews, explainers, and editorials for an international audience. Its archive is reported to average roughly 280 to 450 articles per month. A SimilarWeb estimate cited in reference material recorded 4.7 million visitors in January 2025; this is an externally estimated traffic figure and not a company-issued operating disclosure.

• 2023

  Shruti Shekar becomes editor-in-chief

  [1]Android Centralen.wikipedia.org

  Shruti Shekar succeeded Jeramy Johnson as editor-in-chief in September 2023.

• 2019

  Mobile Nations is acquired by Future plc

  [1]Android Centralen.wikipedia.org

  Future plc acquired Mobile Nations, Android Central's parent company, for $60 million.

• 2013

  Early Nexus 7 coverage

  [1]Android Centralen.wikipedia.org

  Android Central published an early look at the 2013 Nexus 7 tablet, one of the product exclusives associated with the publication.

• 2008

  Android Central is launched

  [1]Android Centralen.wikipedia.org

  Smartphone Experts launched Android Central in September 2008 as a publication focused on Android news and devices.

• 2008

  First article is published

  [1]Android Centralen.wikipedia.org

  The site's first article appeared on 25 September 2008 and covered the T-Mobile G1's lack of a 3.5 mm headphone jack.

A specialist, consumer-oriented technology publication for Android users and readers interested in Google's mobile and connected-device ecosystems.

• Editorial content · 2008

  Android news and analysis

  Reporting and commentary on Android software, platform changes, manufacturers, applications, services, and the wider Google ecosystem. This is the publication's core editorial offering and connects breaking news with explanatory and opinion-driven coverage.

• Editorial content · 2008

  Smartphone reviews and buying guides

  Reviews, comparisons, recommendations, and purchasing advice for Android smartphones and related mobile hardware. The coverage is intended to help readers evaluate devices, features, software experiences, and practical use cases.

• Editorial content

  Android tutorials and how-to guides

  Practical instructional articles that explain Android functions, device setup, troubleshooting, software features, and ways to use products and services in the Android ecosystem.

• Editorial content

  Google, Wear OS, Chrome OS, and connected-device coverage

  Editorial coverage extending beyond phones to Google products and services, Android TV and streaming, Wear OS watches, Chrome OS computers, Gemini, and Android XR and related virtual- and mixed-reality devices.

• 2019

  Future plc acquires Mobile NationsM&A

  Background

  Mobile Nations operated Android Central as part of its specialist technology-media portfolio.

  Action taken

  Future plc acquired Mobile Nations for $60 million, making Android Central part of Future's broader media group.

  Aftermath

  Android Central continued under its own editorial brand within Future plc.

  Acquisition price. $60 million (2019)

  Source

• 2026.09.30

  Reported2026.10.01

  Android Central lays off all full-time staff; owner Future says the site will continue[3]Android Central 裁撤全部全职员工，母公司Future表示网站将继续运营theverge.com

  Android Central, a blog focused on the Android ecosystem, laid off its staff on September 30, 2026. Four of the six staffers on its staff page publicly posted about the layoffs, and remaining staffers confirmed all full-time staff were cut. Owner Future confirmed to The Verge that the site will continue publishing, with new posts coming from freelance contributors, and said it would share further information about the site's future in due course.

Read more

1. 1Android Centralen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Android Central official websiteandroidcentral.com
3. 3Android Central 裁撤全部全职员工，母公司Future表示网站将继续运营theverge.com