Google develops Android under an open-source licensing model, allowing device makers to tweak the operating system to fit their products.

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In 2008, Google launched the open-source Android operating system, licensing mobile software to any and all device makers (at no cost), allowing others to tweak their code and innovate without permission.

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Most of the firms peddling this model, such as Amazon and Google, use open-source software, since having to pay licensing fees would make the business unprofitable.

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So an open-source operating system like Android will do well in this market because they save on licensing fees.

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