The List of Android Versions

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Since its first release, Android has been updated in order to fix bugs and to add more usable and impressive features. Each version of this Google’s operating system has been named alphabetically i.e. Cupcake, Donut, Eclair, Froyo, Gingerbread, Honeycomb and the upcoming version Ice Cream Sandwich.

Here are the release versions of Android operating system from its original release:

Beta version of Android is released in November 5, 2007 and the Software Development Kit (SDK) released in November 15, 2007. SDK is a set of development tools that allows developers to create or to add various applications for an open-source operating system.

The 1.0 version was released in September 23, 2008 and the HTC Dream from HTC is the first mobile phone to run this OS version. The features include Android Market, web browser, camera support but with limited features, grouping application icons into a single folder, email access, Google Application support (Gmail ,Google Sync, Google Search Google Talk and Google Maps), media player, YouTube video player, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth.

The 1.1 version was released in February 9, 2009. This version features update and improvements maps’ details and reviews, the show and hide dial pad, attachments saving in message, and support marquee in layouts.

The 1.5 version (Cupcake) was released in April, 30 2009. It features new update of the earlier version such as Virtual keyboard, Widgets, video recording and playback, Bluetooth Stereo support, copy and paste features added in web browser, animated screen transitions, upload photos and videos.

The 1.6 version update (Donut) was released in September, 15, 2009 with several features i.e. voice search, text to speech engine, easier searching in Android Market, speed enhancements in system, searching and faster camera access.

The 2.0 version (Eclair) was released in October 26, 2009. The updates included contact synchronization, multiple accounts in email, updated Bluetooth 2.1, flash and digital zoom features for camera, enhanced typing speed with a smart dictionary, improved hardware speed, supports for bigger screen sizes and higher resolutions, updated version of Google Maps. The updated version of 2.1 included support for voice commands and improved functionality in the email and phonebook applications.

The 2.2 version (Froyo: Frozen Yoghurt) was released in May, 20, 2010. The changes included speed, memory, and performance optimizations and improved application speed with just-in-time (JIT) optimization, the Chrome V8 JavaScript engine integration in browser application, Wi-Fi hotspot functionality, Adobe Flash support, and the applications installment to the external memory.

The 2.3 version (Gingerbread) was released in December 6, 2010 and it featured user interface refinement, multiple cameras access and a front-facing camera support, faster virtual keyboard and copy/paste enhancement, internet calling support (VoIP), Near Field Communication (NFC) support, enhanced audio and graphic for better gaming applications.

The Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) was released in February, 22, 2011 and it was developed for PC tablet usage. The first tablet featured this OS is Motorola Xoom (announced in February, 2011). It supports typical large screen of tablet and it is equipped with many new UI features and supports multi-core processors and hardware acceleration for graphics. The updates of this OS are the 3.1 version released in May, 2011 and the 3.2 version released in July 2011.

The upcoming Android OS release is the Ice Cream Sandwich and it is considered to be the combination of Gingerbread and Honeycomb versions. Google claimed that Ice Cream Sandwich will be released in October or November this year and will feature a new facial recognition technology and new Application Programming Interface (API) that is able to reduce fragmentation.

Other article you may be interested in reading: Motorola Defy and Sony Ericsson Vivaz

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