Evolution of Android

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Evolution of Android

Android is the leading mobile operating system in the world with a market share of close to 71% in the fourth quarter of 2022. There are more than 205 billion active Android users worldwide. Android is not limited to only smartphones, it is also used in tablets, televisions, car systems, etc

In 2003 American Software Engineers Andy Rubin, Rich Miner, Nick Sears, and Chris White founded Android Incorporation with the intention to launch operating systems for digital cameras but due to low market demand, they shifted to smartphones.

In 2005 Google acquired Android Incorporation and started working on it and announced the development of android operating systems exclusively for smartphones.  In 2008 HTC launches its first Android-powered smartphone. Later Android was the top pick of many smartphone and tablet manufacturers.

The Android operating system powered smartphones with mobile applications. In 2007 Android was made open-source, which means anyone can get access to its source code and use it for commercial purposes. This allowed designers and manufacturers to work on innovative smartphone technology. Developers were free to build innovative and useful apps for the smartphone adhering to the Google Playstore guidelines.

Today Android devices can do a lot of work for you like, navigation, translation, real-time video streaming, browsing data, video calling, etc. Android operating system has also found its place in smart TV and cars.

Android versions:

Each Android new release comes with new features and better performance for the device.

Android 1.0 (API 1)

Release date – 23rd  Of September 2008

Features – Google Maps, YouTube, Gmail, HTML browser, Bluetooth, camera, Wi-Fi

Android 1.1 (API 2)

Release date – February 2009

Features – saving of attachments in messages, dial pad toggle.

Android 1.5 (API 3) or Android Cupcake

Release date – April 2009

Features – Auto rotation, widgets, keyboards, video recording, copy-paste option on browser, YouTube video upload

Android 1.6 (API 4) or Android Donut

Release date – September 2009

Features – CDMA-based networks, text-to-speech

Android Version 2 Series

Android 2.0, Android 2.0 (API 5), 2.0.1 (API 6), and 2.1 (API 7) or Android Eclair

Release date – October 2009

Features – Voice guidance in Google Maps, multiple accounts in one device, lock screen, drag and drop unlocking

Android 2.2 (API 8) or Android Froyo

Release date – May 2010

Features – Wi-Fi mobile hotspot support, PIN/ Password protection, USB tethering, Adobe Flash, Bluetooth-enabled car support

Android 2.3 (API 9) or Android Gingerbread

Release date – Dec 2010

Features – improved keyboard, multiple cameras on the device, copy/paste functionality

Android Version 2.3.3 and its series(API 10) or Android Gingerbread

Release date – Feb 2011

Features – video chat using Google Talk

Android 3.0 (API 11) or Android Honeycomb

Release date – Feb 2011

Features – Virtual buttons for start, back, and menu, improved notification bar for faster access to notifications and status

Android 3.1 (API 12)

Release date – May 2011

Features – USB accessories with better connectivity, support external mouse, keyboards, gamepads, joysticks

Android 3.2 (API 13)

Release date – July 2011

Features – Permission to access files on SD card by Applications

 

Android Version 4 Series

Android 4.0 (API 14) or Android Icecream Sandwich

Release date – October 2011

Features – Face Unlock, screenshot capture, mobile data restriction, real-time text-to-speech, SMS response to call

Android 4.0.3 and 4.0.4 (API 15)

Release date – December 2011

Features – Functionality enhancement for Bluetooth, graphics, camera, calendar

Android 4.1 (API 16), 4.2 (API 17), and 4.3 (API 18) or Android Jelly Bean

Release date – July 2012

Features – Bi-directional text, multiple users, 2D and 3D graphics, instant media share, Widget support

Android 4.4 (API 19) or Android Kitkat

Supported for the device of minimum RAM 512 MB

Release date – September 2013

Features – ‘Ok Google’ command, Google Hangouts, emoji in keyboard

Android 4.4W (API 20)

Release date – June 2014

Features – Google Assistant and mobile notifications in smartwatch

Android Version 5 Series 

Android 5.0 (API 21) or Android Lollipop

Release date – Nov 2014

Features – Android TV, Android Runtime

Android 5.1 (API 21) or Android Lollipop

Release date – March 2015

Features – Multiple SIM cards support, device lock during a theft, HD voice calls for  4G LTE devices

Android Version 6.0(API 23) or Android Marshmallow

Release date – October 2015

Features – Biometric fingerprint unlocking, USB type C support, enhanced battery life, Memory Manager

Android Version 7 Series

Android 7.0 (API 24) or Android Nougat

Release date – August 2016

Features – Multitasking features, split-screen mode, replying to conversations through notifications, Data Saver

Android 7.1, 7.1.1 and 7.1.2 (API 25)

Release date – October 2016, December 2016, and April 2017

Features – More emojis in the keyboard, send GIFs from the keyboard,  battery usage alerts

Android Version 8 Series

Android 8.0 (API 26) or Android Oreo

Release date – Aug 2017

Features – Google Play Protect, Notification dots

Android 8.1.0 (API 27) or Android Oatmeal Cookie

Release date – December 2017

Features – Memory optimizations

Android Version 9(API 28) or Android Pie

Release date – August 2018

Features – Improvement in visual aspect with AI, Do Not Disturb mode

Android Version 10 (API 29) or Android Quince Tart

Release date – Sept 2019

Features – Focus mode, automated text suggestions in reply, dark mode at the system level

Android Version 11 (API 30) or Android Red Velvet Cake

Release date –  September 2020

Features – Built-in screen recording, control conversations across multiple messaging apps, more control over applications

Android Version 12 (API 31) or Android Snow Cone

Release date –  October 2021

Features – smoother and more responsive UI, mic and camera access control, location privacy

Android 12L (API 32) or Android Snow Cone v2

Release Date: March 2022

Features: Optimized for large screens, improved compatibility

Android 13 (API 33) or Android Tiramisu

Release Date: August 2022

Features: HDR video capture, themed app icons

Android 14 (API 34) or Android Upside-Down Cake

Release Date: 2023 Expected

Features: Coming Soon

Reference:

https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/history-of-android/

https://www.android.com/intl/en_in/

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