Android Versions: A History and Overview Android is the world's most popular mobile operating system, powering over 3 billion devices worldwide. It is an open-source operating system, which means that anyone can develop and distribute Android apps.
Android is released in new versions every year, each of which brings new features and improvements. In this blog post, we will take a look at the history of Android versions and highlight some of the key features of each release.
Android 1.0 to 1.6 (Alpha, Beta, Cupcake, Donut, Eclair, and Froyo)
The first version of Android, Android 1.0, was released in 2009. It was a very basic operating system, with only a few core features, such as a web browser, phone app, and contacts list.
Android 1.5 Cupcake was the first major release of Android, and it introduced a number of new features, including a virtual keyboard, support for third-party apps, and live wallpapers.
Android 2.0 Eclair brought even more features, such as multiple accounts support, Google Maps integration, and a new user interface.
Android 2.2 Froyo was a major performance boost for Android devices, and it also introduced a number of new features, such as Flash support, tethering, and portable hotspots.
Android 2.3 to 4.4 (Gingerbread, Honeycomb, Ice Cream Sandwich, Jelly Bean, and KitKat)
Android 2.3 Gingerbread was a major redesign of the Android user interface, and it also introduced a number of new features, such as near-field communication (NFC) support, better power management, and support for larger screens.
Android 3.0 Honeycomb was designed specifically for tablets, and it introduced a number of new features, such as a new user interface, split-screen multitasking, and a redesigned notification system.
Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich unified the Honeycomb and Gingerbread codebases, and it introduced a number of new features, such as face unlock, lock screen widgets, and improved performance.
Android 4.1 Jelly Bean brought a number of new features, such as Project Butter (which made Android feel smoother and more responsive), Google Now, and expandable notifications.
Android 4.4 KitKat was a major performance boost for Android devices, and it also introduced a number of new features, such as immersive mode, full screen apps, and improved battery life.
Android 5.0 to 13 (Lollipop, Marshmallow, Nougat, Oreo, Pie, Android 10, Android 11, Android 12, and Android 13)
Android 5.0 Lollipop brought a major redesign of the Android user interface, with a new Material Design aesthetic. It also introduced a number of new features, such as lock screen notifications, battery saver mode, and multiple user accounts.
Android 6.0 Marshmallow brought a number of new features, such as Doze mode (which helps to improve battery life), Now on Tap (which provides contextual information about what is on the screen), and fingerprint sensor support.
Android 7.0 Nougat brought a number of new features, such as split-screen multitasking, picture-in-picture mode, and data saver mode.
Android 8.0 Oreo brought a number of new features, such as autofill, notification channels, and picture-in-picture mode for all apps.
Android 9 Pie brought a number of new features, such as Digital Wellbeing, Adaptive Battery, and Adaptive Brightness.
Android 10 brought a number of new features, such as a system-wide dark mode, Focus mode, and Live Caption.
Android 11 brought a number of new features, such as one-time permissions, chat bubbles, and screen recorder.
Android 12 brought a number of new features, such as Material You, a new design language that adapts to the user's preferences, and privacy features such as the microphone and camera indicators.
Android 13 brought a number of new features, such as a new photo picker, per-app language preferences, and a clipboard preview.