Android Mobile OS Versions and their Highlights

Android Mobile OS: Journey of Evolution Android OS evolution over years to turn into a dominating mobile operating system

Android OS Journey Android Operating System is behind one billion + smartphones and tablets worldwide. Till today 14 major versions of android have been successfully released and in every version there is something exciting has arrived to please the user and enhance the user experience.

Era of android officially began on Oct 22nd, 2008 with launch of T-MOBILE G1 in USA. Since then, it has evolved into one of the most powerful operating systems all over the globe. This landmark was achieved with many years of efforts and dedication to establish android as an authority in arena of mobile operating system.

Android 1.0 On September 23, 2008, HTC Dream was launched packed with very first version of android. Despite being first release of android, users witnessed exciting features like Google Maps, YouTube video player, camera support, Gmail synchronisation with the Gmail app, web browser, and Contacts and Calendar synchronisation.

Soon after this an update in form of Android 1.1 was released on February 9, 2009 with few more new features as well as fixed few bugs.

Android 1.5 - Cupcake Android performed few alphas and betas over T-Mobile’s G1 before final release of cupcake. Cupcake update came with lots of user-friendly stuff and had support for third-party virtual keyboards as well as the ability to upload videos and photos on YouTube and Picasa. There was also full support for copy and paste. This was remarkable initiative by Android but there was still more to arrive.

Android 1.6 - Donut Android donut supported CDMA and version it was first time that Android enabled running of multiple screen resolutions and aspect ratios.

Donut introduced the concept of the Quick Search Box. Now no need of pressing the Search button on an Android phone's keypad and it emerged as really user friendly. This update was unveiled on October 1, 2009.

Android 2.0 - Eclair Eclair emerged as most impactful version that Android had witnessed since its first release both visually and architecturally. ✓ User were amazed by 854 x 480 display. ✓ Support for multiple Google accounts allowed adding work and personal account on same device ✓ Google Maps Navigation was big update that assisted users in step by step auto navigation. ✓ Eclair added a quick contact bar to search among list of contacts with different parameters like email, text and call.

Android 2.2 - Froyo Froyo empowered Android users to manage their devices on behalf of voice typing and search Below are more exciting features of froyo ● An overall redesigned gallery caught attention of the users ●

Mobile hotspot support was a big leap in this update

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There was inclusion of password/PIN lock that made device more secure

Android 2.3 - Gingerbread Gingerbread witnessed an overhaul with dark theme. NFC support was most welcome feature in this version along Selfie camera focused on photogenic users. Gingerbread update witnessed decrease in stock Android experience which evolved into custom UI to connect users with Android. Download manager that appeared in Gingerbread was a useful feature for Android users.

Android 3.0- Honeycomb ✓ Honeycomb update mainly focused on tablets, as recent release of iPad then was cause of concern for android. “Holographic” interface was rolled out which was highly intuitive keyboard for big screen devices ✓ This update came without any physical button for Home, Back, Menu, and Search. Back and Home were supported with virtual buttons. ✓ Action bar, a permanently-placed bar at the top of each app and helped users in smoothly multitask the device.

Android 4.0 - Ice Cream Sandwich Ice Cream Sandwich arrived with amazingly awesome look and feel to Android OS. ✓ Now apps can be closed with a quick swipe. ✓ It was possible to shoot 1080p video. ✓ Face unlock for feature was introduced and it enhanced security. ✓ Folder creation was simplified by dragging one icon over another. ✓ Ice Cream Sandwich displayed overall usage in different time frames to help user avoid notorious resource intensive apps.

Android 4.1 - Jelly Bean Jelly arrived with Google Now as the flagship feature which was also undoubtedly most appreciated feature of the update. It emerged as an effective voice assistant which refined user searching experience It was most responsive update from android where users were able to share files with Android Beam.

From developers perspective jelly bean allowed them to develop dynamic notifications that were able to expand in the notification drop down and displayed extra information and controls without the need to access the application in particular.

Android 4.4 - KitKat Android Kitkat least resource hungry OS update from google. It was equally fast and highly efficient.

An innovative voice command ‘OK Google’ was flagship feature of this version that assisted in starting the Google Now. This version was smart enough to guess what user is looking for before they asked for it. Support for Emoji was pleasing experience for users.

This version enabled android to be installed with as minimum as 512MB RAM for seamless operation.

Success of this amazing feature was witnessed in form of many smartphone developing companies opting android over other mobile OS.

Android 5.0 - Lollipop Google material design was major highlight of this update which altered the look and feel of icons, animations, as well as multitasking menu.

Integration of notification bar with lock screen and introduction of silent mode for notifications boosted the efficiency of the device It was a flexible version where users can unlock the mobile device with a trusted Bluetooth device. Android OS expanded to Android Wear.

This made possible to let user experience android on watches like Moto 360 and Google Glass headset.

Android 6.0 - Marshmallow Android Marshmallow which was unveiled during September 2015 was primarily focused on boosting the battery life with doze mode as well as it enhanced the security with fingerprint sensor and Now on Tap Marshmallow was more intended towards maintenance and less over User Interface. The exciting add on included new method of handling app permission as well as new and enhanced Google Now. battery life was now enhanced enough to last the device for an entire day without a recharge.

Android 7.0 - Nougat Android nougat was full with features that made users prefer it over other mobile OS platforms. The major one being multi window support that enabled split screen views Dark theme that was launched with first beta version of Android Nougat was taken back due to design restrictions. Various other significant add ons were Night Light (basically a blue light filter), Daydream VR mode, and the Google Assistant (an exciting evolution of Google Now)

Android 8.0 - Oreo

Oreo is the latest update that will offers all the awesome features. User now can watch YouTube clips in a resizable box with help of exciting picture-inpicture video mode. Google claims that new iteration will significantly reduce the boot time as well as optimize performances for apps which run in background most of the time.

More and better option are available for notification customization such like notification can be put to silent till user finds a suitable time to handle it. There is also support for amazingly fast Bluetooth 5.0. which is one of the biggest features in Android O which ensure to pair up the device with IoT products

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