Android is a mobile operating system (OS) commonly used on smartphones. It is a very useful user interface based on a modified version of the Linux kernel. Android has a history of evolution that dates back to 2003, but it took concrete form in 2005 thanks to Google.
Figure 1: Founders and developers of the Android operating system – Andy Rubin, Rich Miner, Nick Sears, and Chris Branco
In October 2003, Android was developed by Andy Rubin, Nick Sears, Rich Miner, and Chris White, who founded Android Inc. in Palo Alto, California. First, Andy Rubin developed the Android operating system for digital cameras, but he realized that the market for operating systems for digital cameras might not be that big. In 2005, Android was purchased by Google and Andy Rubin along with other co-founders continued working under new owners. On June 29, 2007, iPhone was launched by Apple Inc with iOS, which was the first operating system in the mobile market. Therefore, Android faced new challenges to beat iOS, but during this time Google was still secretly working on Android. In 2008, Google released Android version 1.0, followed by 1.1, 1.5, 1.6, 2.0, 2.2, 2.3, 3.0, 4.0, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 5.0, 6.0, 7.0, 8.0, and 9.0. Version 9.0 was released in 2018. More advanced versions will continue to evolve in the future. Android names started after version 1.5 and in an official statement after version 4.4, Google said, “Because these devices make our lives so sweet, each version of Android is named after a dessert.”
Figure 2: All Android versions up to 2019
Android 1.0 (unnamed) and 1.1 (Petit Four)
Android versions 1.0 and 1.1 were also known as alpha and beta versions. Android 1.0 was released on September 23, 2008 and after that it was updated to 1.1 on February 9, 2009. The first phone released with Android 1.0 was the T-Mobile G1 (HTC Dream) in September 2008. This version marked the beginning of Android and came with physical keyboard, status bar notification, camera support, Android Market for apps; web browser, grouping icons in a folder, email support, media player, add widgets to home screen, YouTube, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Google apps like Gmail, Google Maps, Google Search, Google Talk, Google Sync , etc.
Figure:3: Android 1.0 and 1.1 logo and its appearance on a QWERT Smartphone
In February 2009, the Android 1.0 version was updated to Android 1.1 and some of the changes included the ability to attach a document in messages, longer call screen timeout when the phone was put on speakerphone, and detailed map view . However, Android was still evolving.
Android 1.5 Cookie
On April 27, 2009, Android's 1.5 Cupcake update was released and the tradition of naming the Android version was born. It was the first version of Android to have an on-screen keyboard instead of a physical keyboard connected to the cell phone previously; This marked a great revolution. It also supports third-party widgets. Although widgets were also supported in previous versions, third-party developers were unable to place widgets in these versions. Google has opened the widget SDK to third-party developers with Android 1.5 Cupcake. Before Cupcake, Android features only allowed users to capture photos but did not support recording videos. Thus, with Cupcake they were able to record videos in MPEG-4 and 3GP, as well as more features such as copy and paste in the browser, automatic rotation, direct upload of videos to YouTube and Picasa.
Fig. 4: Android 1.5 logo and what it looks like on a smartphone
Donut Android 1.6
Android Donut was released on September 15, 2009 with an updated version. In this version, Android included CDMA network support such as Verizon, Sprint, and a number of large networks in Asia that brought together crowds of people, along with the operating system's ability to operate on a variety of screen sizes and resolutions. Donut was the first version that included the quick search box that allowed users to perform a number of functions like web search, store contacts, local files and more directly from the home screen. It has revolutionized the Android market by providing the best free and paid apps. applications as part of the third-party application catalog.
Figure 5 : Android 1.6 logo and what it looks like on a smartphone
Android 2.0 Éclair
On October 26, 2009, Android 2.0 Eclair was released with the Motorola Droid phone, which brought some massive changes to the operating system. Android 2.0 was the first device to introduce Google Maps navigation. Turn-by-turn directions using Google Maps data include many features found in car navigation, such as 3D visualization, voice guidance, and traffic information, also at no cost. This version added HTML5 support to the browser, ability to play videos, and added slide-to-unlock screen lock. The comma key on the virtual keyboard was replaced with a microphone with a simple touch so users could transcribe anything from their voice and it also supported multiple accounts.
Figure 6: Android 2.0 logo and what it looks like on a smartphone
Android 2.2 Froyo
On May 20, 2010, Android 2.2 Froyo was released on the Nexus One, which was the first Nexus phone to be released and also the first phone to receive the Android Froyo update. This update took Android's voice capabilities to the next level with Voice Action, which allowed users to perform functions like searching, getting directions, taking notes, setting alarms, and more with just sound. They have provided five home screen panels instead of three in addition to the hotspot. It provided users with the PIN unlock feature, which was perfect for those who didn't like the pattern lock screen.
Figure 7: Android 2.2 logo and what it looks like on a smartphone
Gingerbread Android 2.3
On December 6, 2010, Google released the Nexus S with Android 2.3 Gingerbread, which was jointly developed with Samsung. It was designed with the ease of graphics-intensive 3D games that took gaming to new heights. In this version, the new feature was NFC (Near Field Communication). NFC is used to transmit information between devices just by bringing them together and also includes a front camera so people can take selfies. It featured a few more sensors such as gyroscopes, barometers, gravimeters, etc. This version improved the keyboard which offered new interface for keys and added battery management so that users could see how their device is performing.
Figure 8: Android 2.3 logo and what it looks like on a smartphone
Honeycomb Android 3.0
Android 3.0 Honeycomb was released on February 22, 2011 on the Motorola Xoom. It was later updated to 3.1 and 3.2. This version, designed primarily for a tablet, has improved the ease of reading books, watching videos, exploring maps and doing much more. In this version, the physical Home, Back and Menu buttons were removed and replaced with programmable keys that were used for navigation. It also featured quick setup and OTG connection so users could use a USB drive.
Figure 9: Android 3.0 logo and what it looks like on a tablet
Android 4.0 IceCreamSandwich
Android 4.0 IceCream Sandwich was released on October 19, 2011 with the Samsung Galaxy Nexus. It contained many of the Honeycomb features such as soft keys for the Home, Back and Menu buttons, as well as new features such as face unlock, swipe through recent apps, notifications and 1080p video recording, etc. which allowed users to manage network data to keep costs under control and also added Android Beam which allowed two phones to share content instantly via NFC by simply touching them.
Figure 10: Android 4.0 logo and what it looks like on a smartphone
Android 4.1 JellyBean
On June 27, 2017, Android 4.1 JellyBean was released and featured Google Now, which allowed people to get information. Google Now provided weather information to know when to move before leaving home. This version added notification expansion feature and notifications direct action. In this version, people could create or switch to multiple accounts, with each account having its own personalized home screen.
Figure 11: Android 4.1 logo and what it looks like on a smartphone
Android 4.4KitKat
Android 4.4 KitKat was released on June 25, 2014 with the Nexus 5 which featured the “OkGoogle” feature so that people could access Google Now without touching the phone with their hands. This hands-free activation only worked when the screen was on. People were able to send text messages, get directions, or even play music. It also added full-screen apps, new Hangouts app, and new phone dialer. This version is designed to support less RAM, such as devices with 512 RAM.
Figure 12: Android 4.4 logo and what it looks like on a smartphone
Lollipop Android 5.0
On June 25, 2014, Android 5.0 Lollypop was released with the Nexus 6. This version included “Material Design”. Thus, Android gained a completely new user interface based on shadows and movement. Material Design combines the classic principle of good design with the innovation of what is possible through technology. The Lollipop version supports all screen sizes on phones and tablets, TV and Android Wear Watch. It also added the direct notifications feature on the lock screen so that users could view notifications on the lock screen and reply to messages directly from the home screen.
Figure 13: Android 5.0 logo and its appearance on different mobile devices
Android 6.0 Marshmallow
On May 28, 2015, version 6.0 Marshmallow of Android was released with the Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X smartphones, along with its Pixel C tablet. It included features such as a new vertically scrolling app drawer along with Google Now in the top, making Google Now accessible just by tapping and holding the Home key, whether in the app or on the website. Added biometric smartphone fingerprint unlock, support for USB Type-C and Android Pay, etc. It also added permission feature so that users could decide what they want to share with this app.
Figure 14: Android 7.0 logo and what it looks like on a smartphone
Android 7.0 Nougat
Android 7.0 Naught was released on August 22, 2016 with Pixel and Pixel XL, along with the LG V20. This version included multitasking, allowing people to use split-screen mode that allowed them to use two apps on the same screen and quickly switch between apps. This version also made changes behind the screen, such as changing the JIT compiler to speed up applications, supporting the Vulkan API for faster 3D rendering, and allowing OEMs to support its Day dream virtual reality platform.
Figure 15: Android 7.0 logo and what it looks like on a smartphone
Android 8.0 Oreo
The Android8.0 Oreostable version was released on August 21, 2017. This version allowed short notifications based on importance and the ability to snooze the notification. It also included visual changes like settings menu along with native support for picture-in-picture mode, autofill APIs for data and password filling management, and replaced all bubble emojis with Gradient Outlines.
Figure 16: Android 8.0 logo and what it looks like on a smartphone
Android 9.0 Pie
On August 6, 2018, Android 9.0 Pie was released. It doesn't have a three-button setup at the bottom, but only has a pill-shaped button and gestures to control things like swiping from left to right to switch between recently opened apps, etc. This version is designed to extend battery life by including app prediction that can be used on the device by machine learning. It has a feature called Shush that automatically puts your device into Do Not Disturb mode when you turn your phone screen face down on a flat surface.
Figure 17: Android 9.0 logo and what it looks like on a smartphone
All these updates will run until the end of 2018. Android will continue to be updated to simplify things for users to have a better experience with digital devices.