Types of Android Versions and Their Features

Now I am going to tell you about different versions of Android Operating System so that you can know what changes Android has brought in different versions.

Android Beta

This was the first Android version and was released in November 2007.

Android 1.0

This was the first commercial version which was released on September 23, 2008. It had many features such as Android Market application, web browser, zoom and plan full HTML, and XHTML web pages, cameras support, access to web email servers; Gmail; Google contacts; Google Calendar; Google maps; Google Sync; Google Search; Google Talk; YouTube; Wi-Fi etc.

Android 1.1

This version is also known as “Petit Four” and it was released on February 9, 2009. It had the facility of longer in-call screen timeout by default when you use the speakerphone. Along with this, there was also a facility to save attachments of messages in it.

Android 1.5 Cupcake

This Android 1.5 version was released in April 30, 2009, and it was based on Linux kernel 2.6.27. This was the first version that was named after a dessert. This updated version had many such features as support for Widgets, third party virtual keyboard, video recording and playback, animated screen transitions etc. and with this you could upload videos to YouTube and photos to Picasa.

Android 1.6 Donut

It was released on September 15, 2009, and was based on Linux Kernel 2.6.29. This version had many such features as multilingual speech synthesis, gallery, camera, camcorder etc. Along with this, it also supported WVGA screen resolutions.

Android 2.0/2.1 Eclair

On October 26, 2009, Eclair was released, which was based on Linux kernel 2.6.29. With this change, it also had many features such as expanded Account sync, Exchange email support, Bluetooth 2.1 support. Along with this, you could also call, SMS or email anyone by tapping the Contacts photo in it, along with it also had the facility of search all saved SMS and MMS. Along with this other facilities like new camera features, improved typing speed on the virtual keyboard, improved Google maps 3.1.2 were also available.

Android 2.2.x Froyo

Froyo means Frozen Yogurt and which was released on May 20, 2010, and which was based on Linux kernel 2.6.32. It also had some new additional features such as integration of Chrome’s VS JavaScript engine into the Browser application, improved Microsoft Exchange support, improved application launcher, Wi-Fi hotspot functionality, quick switching between multiple keyboards etc. In Froyo you also supported Android Cloud to Device Messaging service; Bluetooth enabled car and desk docks, numeric and alphanumeric passwords.

Android 2.3.x Gingerbread

On December 6, 2010, Gingerbread was released, which was based on Linux kernel 2.6.35. It had many features like extra-large screen sizes, faster text input in the virtual keyboard, enhanced copy paste functionality, support for Near Field Communication, New Download Manager. etc. With this Gingerbread used to support many more things like multiple cameras on the device, improved power management, concurrent garbage collection etc

Android 3.x Honeycomb

This version Android 3.0 was released on February 22, 2011. It was based on Linux kernel 2.6.36. It had a new virtual and “holographic” user interface with an added system bar, action bar and redesigned keyboard attached. Along with this you also had other features like multitasking, allows multiple browser tabs, provides quick access to the camera, support video for chat using Google Talk.

Android 4.0.x Ice Cream Sandwich

The Ice Cream Sandwich version was publicly released on October 19, 2011, in. Its source code was made available on November 14, 2011. With the help of this version, folders could be created easily, many features like separation of widgets in a new tab, integrated screenshot capture, better voice integration, consist of face unlock were available, along with customizable launcher, improved copy and paste functionality There were also features like, built-in photo editor, improved camera app with zero shutter lag.

Android 4.1 Jelly Bean

Google released Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) on June 27, 2012, and it was based on Linux kernel 3.0.31. The main purpose of this version was how to increase the functionality and performance of the user interface. This version has many features such as bi-directional text, ability to turn off notifications on apps, offline voice detection, Google Wallet with it, shortcuts and widgets, multichannel audio, Google Now search application, USB audio, audio chaining etc.

What was done in its second version 4.2 had many new features such as new redesigned clock app and clock widgets, multiple user profiles, Photospheres, Daydream Screensavers etc.

Android 4.4 “KitKat”

Google released Android 4.4 KitKat in October 2013, and that too with the Nexus 5 Smartphone. This is the first time in the history of Google that Google has partnered with another brand for Android mascot. Yes friends, Google did a very big marketing campaign with Nestle to promote KitKat.

The main objective of the company was to make this new OS even more efficient, faster and less resource intensive. This OS could also run in low-end hardware and older hardware so that other manufacturers could use it in their existing models. Due to this they also got more encouragement. There were also some very special features in it, about which I have mentioned below.

Google Now in the home screen

New Dialer

Full-screen apps

Unified Hangouts app

Redesigned Clock and Downloads apps

emoji

Productivity enhancements

HDR+

Android 5.0 L

When Android L was about to be released, there was a lot of whisper among people about its name, some were giving it the name of Licorice, some Lemonhead and some were giving it the name of Lollipop. And when it was released on October 15, 2014, it was named Android Lollipop. In this, many such features were adopted which were not present in it earlier. Improved Material Design, along with great colourful interfaces, playful transitions and more. Multitasking has been redefined so that it can do even better Some changes were brought in Notification so that you can see all the notification in Home Screen itself. Best Battery Life This mobile OS was no longer limited to phones only, but now Android Wear was also promoted so that you could use it in your hands.

Android 6.0 Marshmallow

This version of Android was released on October 5, 2015. It was very similar to the previous Os in appearance. But some important changes were brought in it which set it apart. I have mentioned below about some such features so that you can get more information about it.

Google Now on Tap, with the help of which you can do other things without closing any app. In this, you just have to press the Home button for a long time and Google Now will be overlayed with your current app.

Slight improvement in Cut & Paste. So that the user can easily use it

Voice Search directly from Lock Screen, earlier only camera and emergency calls could be done but now Voice Search can also be easily done with it.

Excellent Security

Change in App Permission, in which earlier users did not have any rights over it, meaning users could not change it but now it can be changed, for which you first have to go to Settings > Apps > [tap a particular app] > Permissions here you can choose any Features can be turned on and off.

Google Settings in one place

For Smart Lock Passwords

Better Power Saving Options for which you have to follow this path Settings > Battery > Battery optimization (available via the menu in the top-right corner)

New UI tuner setting

With this you can also easily edit the Quick Setting Menu.

Android 7.0 Nougat

Android Nougat was released on October 4, 2016 with Google’s Pixel (Pixel XL) phones. It had many exciting features which were not present in earlier Android versions.

Night Light by which you can easily fall even at night without any problem

Fingerprint swipe down gesture, for this all you have to do is swipe your finger across the screen

Daydream VR Mode

App Shortcuts

Circular app icons support

Along with this, some special features were also made available for Google’s Pixel users. For example

Pixel Launcher

Google Assistant

Unlimited original quality photo/video backup to Google Photos

Pixel Camera app

Smart Storage As soon as the storage is exhausted; the storage deletes the old backup so that the new one can be stored.

Phone/Chat support

Quick Switch adapter for wired setup from Android or iPhone

Dynamic calendar date icon

Android 8.0 Oreo

This was a very good Android OS update, which has been replaced by the new update, if I say more about it, and then this Android 8.0 Oreo was released on August 18, 2017. At present, you can use it in only a few devices such as Pixel, Pixel XL, and Nexus 5 X, Nexus 6P, Nexus Player, and the Pixel C. And the update will be made available in other Smartphone’s by the end of 2017. Now let us know what the new features are in this Android update.

Enhanced Battery Life

Picture-in-Picture (PiP) According to this, if you are watching a movie and if you want to send an email, then you can easily do this work.

Smart Text Selection

Notification Dots in which if any new notification comes in any app then it will appear on it

Better Google Assistant

New Auto fill feature

WI-Fi Awareness In this, your mobile will automatically start automatically after coming to a wifi zone.

More Safe and Secure

Android 9.0 Pie

The latest Android OS update is now. This Android 9.0 Pie Os has been officially released on August 6, 2018. It is named Android Pie, and it has many new and exciting features that make it special. If you have a Pixel Smartphone, then you will get all the updates of Android Pie very comfortably but only to the digital detox elements. Excluding

Other Android smart phones, such as Sony, Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo, OnePlus and Essential will get these updates within a few months. Google itself has told that all these devices are part of their beta program.

Now let us know what the new features are in this Android update.

Adaptive Battery: Adaptive Battery has been used in this, which uses machine learning to make apps work properly. Apart from this, apps are used in an energy-efficient manner so that they are turned on only when the user uses them, otherwise they remain in inactive condition.

Adaptive Brightness: It provides ambient lighting according to your personal preferences, and it makes those adjustments in the background for you.

App Actions: This is a very new feature in which OS can predict what action you are going to take next on the user’s app usage. This App can be used for Predictions.

Android Dashboard: It has been specially designed to understand the habits of the user, which can provide you with meaningful engagement. It can show you how many times you unlock your phone, how many notifications you received, how many apps you used. Along with this, it gives you control over how and when you are spending your time.

App Timer: This feature gives you control over how long you want to use your apps, it gives you notification when the time is over. This is going to be very important for those people who want to make good use of their time.

Slush Gesture: With this feature, you can turn your phone on and automatically bring it to Do Not Disturb mode.

Wind Down Mode: In this feature, all you have to do is tell the Google Assistant about your bedtime and when that time is near, it automatically turns on Do Not Disturb and turns on the greyscale mode of your screen.

Android 10

Android 10 is Google’s latest Mobile OS which has not been released yet. After Android P, many new features have been added to it and keeping in mind the safety and security of the users, new safety features have also been installed in it.

Now let’s also know about some special features of Android Q.

Better Permissions Controls

Compared to the rest of the Android version, we will get to see much better permission control in it, so that the user will get more control over his phone.

Is going to provide support to foldable phones

It has been heard that Samsung and other companies are going to launch foldable phones soon and in such a situation they will need a new OS. That’s why it has already been made to suit foldable phones.

Having faster sharing

In this, faster sharing can be done than the first OS version. Which is going to be very useful for the users going forward?

Built-in screen recording

Built-in screen recording facility has been provided in it, so that screen recording can be done easily.

In-app settings panel

In this, many such settings have been provided in the In-app settings panel which can increase the usability of the user.

System-wide dark mode

This was a much awaited update which was the wish of many android users. That’s why they have provided system wide only dark mode in the new update.

Depth formats for photos

In Photos too, they have used depth formats to make this better, so that the resolution of photos can be greatly improved.

HDR10+ Support

It has now started supporting HDR10+ as well.

New theming options

Many new theming options have been provided in this so that now users can easily choose the theme they want.

Better privacy protections in Android

As Android has already promised that they will strengthen the privacy protection of the new OS and they have done the same with this new OS.

I have full hope that I have given you complete information about types of Android versions and I hope you have understood about Android versions & features. I request all of you readers that you also share this information in your neighbourhood, relatives & your friends.

About the author

A Ranjan is from Kolkata in West Bengal. He is double post graduate in Computer Science & Management (Marketing & Operation), who is fond of Science & Technology, Stock Investing, Travelling and Writing. He made the art of writing his profession and started working from home. He mostly writes about Stock Investment, Motivational Story, Technology, Travelling Field & Famous people. This is the first employee to join the Yono Informer Team.

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