DIFFERENT ANDROID OPERATING SYSTEM

Android 1.0 Apple Pie

Android 1.0, code-named Apple Pie, was the inaugural version of the Android
operating system, released on September 23, 2008. It marked the beginning of
Android's journey as a mobile platform

Android 1.1 Banana Bread/Petit Four

Even though the first two public versions of Android (1.0 and 1.1) did not have
any code names, Android 1.1 was unofficially called Petit Four. This was
released in February 2009, ie just 4 months after the launch of Android 1.0
version, but there were no major changes than in the previous version.
However, one important thing that turned in favor of Android with this release
was that it was able to prove the easiness to users to install newer updates with
incremental features, as no other platform had that sort of a capability then.
This was evident later, when Android released 4 versions in the year 2009
itself, including the version 1.1.

Android 1.5 Cupcake

It was version 1.5 that came with the name Cupcake and this pattern of naming
Android version is opted by Google till now. The cupcake was released in
April 2009. Many features and improvements were included in it. Few of its
features available on Android even today such as the ability to upload videos to
YouTube, support for third-party keyboards, and feature like automatically
rotating phone’s screen to the right positions.

Android 1.6 Donut

Google launched the next version just five months later. It was Android 1.6
Donut. The main feature included in Donut was that it supported carriers that
used CDMA based networks. This was a big plus point, as it allowed all
carriers across the world to sell smartphones with Android OS.
Android 2.0 Éclair

In October 2009, Google launched the second version of Android and

named it eclair. It was the first Android version with text-to-speech
support. It also introduced multiple account support, live wallpapers,
navigation with Google Maps, and many other new features.
 Android 2.2 Froyo

The next version, Froyo, short form for Frozen Yogurt was launched in May
2010. It was in this version that Wi-Fi mobile hotspot functions was
introduced. It also included many other features such as flash support, push
notifications via Android Cloud to Device Messaging (C2DM) service, and
more.

Android 2.3 Gingerbread

The Android 2.3 Gingerbread was launched in September 2010. A number of

features were included in this version updated UI design that provided
increased efficiency and ease-of-use. It had support for extra-large screen
sizes and resolution. More features such as native support for SIP VoIP
internet telephones, improved text inputs using the virtual keyboard, better
text suggestions and voice input capability were added. One of the key
features was its support for using NFC (near field communication) functions
for smartphones.

Android 3.0 Honeycomb

The next version was something special. Android version 3.0 Honeycomb
was launched to be installed only for tablets and mobile devices with larger
screens. It was launched in February 2011. Androids rival, Apple launched
iPad in 2010. Honeycomb was a direct response to Apple. Google aimed
for features that could not be handled by smartphones with smaller screens.
But Honeycomb ended up as a version that not really required. Most of the
features of Honeycomb were integrated with the next major version of
Android.

Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich

Ice Cream Sandwich was launched in October 2011. It had many features.
Features of the previous version, Honeycomb, were integrated with the Ice
Cream Sandwich version. This version was the first to introduce the
support the feature to unlock the phone using its camera. This feature will
evolve a lot in the upcoming years. Other notable changes with Ice Cream
Sandwich included support for all the on-screen buttons, the ability to
monitor the mobile and Wi-Fi data usage, and swipe gestures to dismiss
notifications and browser tabs.
 Android 4.1 Jelly Bean/Project Jandycane

Google launched Android 4.1 with the Jelly Bean label on June 2012. Two
more versions under the Jelly Bean label, Android 4.2 & 4.3 were released
by Google in October 2012 & July 2013, respectively. The notification part
was improved a lot in this version. Full support for Google Chrome
(Android version) was included in Android 4.2. Android’s touch
responsiveness was also improved. Jelly Bean was collectively the first
Android version to support emoji and screensavers that are natively done.

Android 4.4 KitKat

Google contacted Nestle, the maker of KitKat chocolate, asking if they

could use the chocolate bar’s name for the next version of Android. Nestle
agreed to this and Android 4.4 KitKat was launched in September 2013.
KitKat did not have many features. But one main feature was that KitKat
could run on smartphones with even a 512 MB RAM. It was because
KitKat used the Android Runtime (ART), though experimental, instead of
the DVM (Dalvik Virtual Machine) originally used by Android. This
expanded the market share of Android to the next level. The phone
makers could now run Android on cheaper smartphones.

Android 5.0 Lollipop

Android 5.0 Lollipop was launched in June 2014. Google’s new Material
Design language was first introduced in Lollipop, which brought some major
aesthetic changes to Android UI. It included changes in UIs like a revamped
navigation bar and better-style notifications for the lock-screen etc. It brought
the Flat Design concept into play. Google created more enhancements to
Android devices’ battery life with a Doze mode where background apps are
killed once the show is turned off.

Android 6.0 Marshmallow

First, the Android 6.0 version was to be called Macadamia Nut Cookie, but it
was released as Marshmallow in May 2015. It included many new features
like an app drawer which was vertically scrolling, along with Google Now
available on Tap. This was the first version that had native support for
unlocking of the smartphone with biometric; fingerprint authentication. USB
Type C support was included and Android pay was also introduced in
Marshmallow.

Android 7.0 Nougat

Android 7.0 Nougat was released in August 2016. It came out with multitasking features, especially for
smartphones with bigger screens. It included split-screen and fast switching between apps.

Android 8.0 Oreo

This was the second time Google used a trademark name for it’s Android
version, first being KitKat. Android 8.0 Oreo was released on August 2017. It
included many visual changes such as native support for picture-in-picture
mode, new autofill APIs that could help in better managing the passwords and
fill data, notification channels, and much more.

Android 9.0 Pie

The next major version was released in August 2018. It came with a lot of
new features and improvements. The new home-button was added in this
version. When swiped up, it brings the apps used recently, a search bar and
suggestions of five apps at the bottom. There was a new option added of
swiping left to see the currently running apps. Improvements in battery life
were also made in this version. Shush, a new feature was also added. It
automatically puts the smartphone in Do not disturb mode. Many more
features were also added.

Android 10 Queen Cake

Finally, Google opted to drop the tradition of naming the Android version
after sweets and desserts. It was launched in September 2019. A number of
features were added such as support for the upcoming foldable smartphones
with flexible displays. Android 10 also has a system-wide dark mode, along
with the newly introduced navigation control using gestures, the feature for
smart reply for all the messaging apps, and a sharing menu that is more
effective. The control over app-based permissions is also more in it.

Android 11 Red Velvet Cake

The most significant change in the Android 11 version revolves around

privacy. The update made in this version is based upon the extended
permission system which was already introduced in version 10 but with the
added option to grant permission on app location, microphone, and camera on
a limited single-use basis. The newly introduced feature will automatically
revoke permission from any apps that haven’t been opened recently and
makes it more challenging for the apps to request to detect your location from
the background. The Android 11 version has a new approach to the notification section with a new
streamlined media player, screen recording feature, notification history section, and a menu for connected
device control.

Android 12 Snow Cone

Compared to the last few versions of Android, Android 12 comes with some
excitement as most headways are mainly on the surface. The update comes
with a new standard which is called ‘Material you’. The material you bring out
a completely different look and feel to the Android experience which is also
not limited to system-level elements. The design principles in Android 12 will
extend into phone apps as well as Google service. Along with a renewed focus
on Android’s new widget system, the updates also give accessible control for
different apps and their data usage and the amount of information you allow
for apps to access.

Android 13 Tiramisu

This is the most subtle version with many desirable updates. Android 13
introduces a new interface design for tablets and foldable phones to create a
remarkably large-screen experience in the operating system as well as within
apps. Regarding regular phones, Android version 13 is less significant and
people won’t notice any changes other than some visual refinements. The
betterment in this version includes app optimization framework and
guidelines, more potential split screen mode for the purpose of multitasking,
and a ChromeOS desktop taskbar which makes it easy to frequently access
used apps from anywhere.

Android 14 Upside Down Cake

Recently on October 4th of 2023 Google released the new software

version of Android which is Android 14 — Upside Down Cake (This
code name was given internally because Google stopped naming the
Android versions after desserts from Android 10)Android 14 updates the
system sharesheet to support custom app actions and more informative
preview results for users. Apps that use the new system back APIs can opt
in to predictive back to automatically receive in-app animations and also
support custom transitions.