Android Operating System – Versions and Complete History from Cupcake to Nougat

Smartphones are known for its operating system among which mostly smartphones are featured with Android. Today, everyone wants a Smartphone which is functioned on Android only. In a very short span of time Android has created a reputed place in the market.

Android is a software cluster for mobile devices that includes an operating system OS, key applications and middleware. The Android SDK provides the tools as well as APIs required to begin developing applications on the Android platform using the Java programming language. Kernel of Android is based on Linux kernel and further furnished by Google.

Android Inc. was founded in Palo Alto, California in October, 2003 by Andy Rubin (co-founder of Danger Inc. - a company exclusive in platforms, software, design, and services for mobile computing devices), Rich Miner (co-founder of Wildfire Communications, Inc.), Nick Sears (former Vice President at T-Mobile), and Chris White (head of design and interface development at Web TV). Initially, Android Inc. was operated secretly, expose only that it was working on mobile software’s. On that same year, Rubin had some sort of financial problems and Steve Perlman gave him $10,000 and refused a stake in Android Incorporation.

Google took over Android Inc. in August 2005, making Android Inc. an entire owned property of Google. Main employees of Android Inc., including Andy Rubin, Rich Miner and Chris White, stayed at the company after the possession of Google.
On 12th November, 2007 Android beta SDK was released. On 23 September, 2008 the first Android device HTC Dream G1 was launched operating on Android 1.0.

Android 1.1

This version was launched for the T-mobile G1 only.
After this, Android versions were launched in alphabetical order – Cupcake, Donut, Éclair, Froyo, Gingerbread, Honeycomb, Ice-cream sandwich and Jellybean.

Android 1.5 (Cupcake)

This version was having some added features to the previous versions. These features included Universal Search box, Advanced Android market, Video recording and playback in MPEG and 3GP formats.

Android 1.6 (Donut)

This version was launched specially for full touch screen mobiles, hence it was provided with an on-screen virtual keyboard. The main features of this version were widgets, Stereo Bluetooth and battery usage indicator.

Android 2.0 (Éclair)

This version was featured with Bluetooth 2.1. The browser was also featured with HTML5 support.
After 2.0, 2.0.1 and 2.1 were also launched which were having some minor API changes and bug fixes to the 2.0 version.

Android 2.2 (Froyo)

This version supported Multiple user accounts. In this version, user was able to save and install applications to SD card. This version was also featured with Adobe Flash 10.1.
After the launch of 2.2, 2.2.1, 2.2.2, 2.2.3 were also launched. These version were updated with some bug fixes as well as security updates.

Android 2.3 (Gingerbread)

This version was featured with some new sensors. New audio effects and touch effects were also added.
Android 2.3.3, 2.3.4, 2.3.5, 2.3.6, 2.3.7 were also launched with some additional features.

Android 3.0 (Honeycomb)

This version was specially launched for tablets and other devices having larger screen. This version was having improved user interface. Android 3.1, 3.2, 3.2.1, 3.2.2 were also launched with some bug fixes and improvements.

Android 4.0 (Ice-cream sandwich)

This version was having a improved user interface specially for large screen devices. Some advanced features were also added in this version. Android 4.0.2 and 4.0.3 were also launched.

Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean)

Android Jelly Bean improved the speed as well as simplicity of Android 4.0. This version was having completely redesigned camera app, new gesture keyboard and much more.

Android 4.4 (KitKat)

KitKat focused primarily on optimizing the operating system for improved performance on entry-level devices with limited resources.

Android 5.0 (Lollipop)

One of the most prominent changes in the Lollipop release is a redesigned user interface built around a design language known as Material Design, which was made to retain a paper-like feel to the interface.

Android 6.0 (Marshmallow)

Marshmallow primarily focuses on improving the overall user experience of Lollipop, introducing a new permissions architecture, new APIs for contextual assistants (a feature notably leveraged by "Now On Tap"—a new capability of the Google searching by contextualizing an app into a simpler interface by Google Now), a new power management system that reduces background activity when a device is not being physically handled, native support for fingerprint recognition and USB Type-C connectors, the ability to migrate data and applications to a microSD card and use it as primary storage, as well as other internal changes.

Android 7.0 (Nougat)

Just launched.. features coming soon !