Whenever Steve Jobs is onstage, he can't help himself. "We've activated another 20 trillion iPhones," he says from above his polo neck. "iPhone is the most popular smartphone in the galaxy. IN ANY GALAXY." We're sure he's right, but once in a while it's refreshing to see a different view. This video shows the roaring success of Android by mapping global activations over the past three years, from October 2008 to January 2011--and it's mind-blowing.

We're still bowled over that Android has managed to grab as big a share as it has. After all, it's really geeky. That said, it's no accident that the two most significant events in the life of Android have been the Droid and Galaxy S launches--two enormous marketing campaigns.

Read more of "Android growth illustrated in jaw-dropping activation timeline video," and watch the vid, at Crave UK.