Android 1
Android 1 was not received very much rather it got a significant amount of negative responses in latest tech news. But still, it provided a variety of features like Gmail, Google Maps, Calendar and YouTube, all of which culminated into a single operating system. Some tech channels even gave negative reviews on comparing it with the iOS operating system that was launched a year ago. A year before the beta version of Android 1 was launched for trial and testing. Android 1 also consisted of the first version of today what we call as Play Store.
Android 1.5 Cupcake
Most of the features were similar to those of Android 1, new features added were widgets or floating menus on the home screen. Such as the one that shows the weather, and time along with the clock, these widgets were actually the ones generated from Android 1.5 or popularly known as Cupcake. This version also was the first to bring the feature of an on-screen keyboard, unlike earlier versions where a physical keyboard was used also in Windows 11.
Android 1.6: Donut
Android 1.6 or Donut was rolled for the public at the end of 2009. People were expecting what more could Android achieved in its latest update. But Android 1.6 or Donut made Android suitable for all resolutions and screen configurations. Now Android covered most of the mobile phones at that time. This feature of Android proved to be one of the main reasons for it leading from the front in the operating system segment. It also made CDMA networks compatible with the Android operating system, thus making sim cards usable for not only phone calls but for other works as well.
Android 2.0 to 1.1: Eclair
Éclair made quite a lot of changes in the market that was once needed to shape the future of Android and give tough competition to Apple’s iOS. Today’s google navigator lady shows you the way to take turns and was first introduced in Android Eclair. It took the market by storm and Apple for the first time realized that there is a competitor that should be taken seriously. It also introduced the feature of using fingers to zoom the photos by pinching which we today use generally in latest tech news.
Android 2.2: Froyo
This proved not much of a difference with just one major addition of giving verbal commands to the phone. In simple words the primitive version of today’s google assistant. The functions were much more limited than today’s but it was a craze back then at Viralblogy.
Android 2.3: Gingerbread
The first graphical and immersive touch to the Android was given with the launch of Gingerbread. It became even more popular because of its robot mascot which attracted much attention worldwide. The combination of black and green was a hit back then and became the symbol of Android since. Even today’s android uses green as its prominent colour.
Android 3.0 to 3.2: Honeycomb
The introduction of Honeycomb came in the wake of tablets that were coming on the market. This design however did not last much because and phased out quickly. But honeycomb was the first update to come with floating menus with on-screen buttons and cards. For the first time, you could check the recent activity in one of the tabs.
Android 4.0: Ice Cream Sandwich
Honeycomb was viewed as a bridge between old-style OS and new graphic ones in latest tech news. The Ice Cream Sandwich combined the features of both the mobile and tablet versions. Unlike Gingerbread Android 4.0 dropped green out of its major highlight but replaced it with blue. It made efforts like being able to remove notifications with a swipe.
Android 4.1 to 4.3: Jelly Bean
It was released somewhat between 2012 and 2013, you can say from here began the polishing era of Android to make it more luring for new users. Jelly Bean was the first to bring the prototype of what we today know as Google Feeds. It was known as Google Now which contained much more features than just providing news like predicting recommendations for users.
Android 4: KitKat
With KitKat coming into the market, the black and blue highlights of Ginger Bread and Honeycomb eventually went extinct. KitKat was a modern operating system with brighter menus and giving a contemporary look. The card-based system of viewing recent activity was still present. The primitive version of ‘OK Google’ was also initiated in this version of Android.
Android 5.0 and 5.1: Lollipop
Lollipop in 2014 when Android had already become the leader of the OS market. With Lollipop Android launched its material design standard, which is still prevalent across Google and its products and services. The already existing card-based interface was made wider and a permanent feature of Android. The OK Google was added with more responsibility and performed more functions like opening the app by voice recognition.
Android 6.0: Marshmallow
Marshmallow introduced no major features rather it was beginning the trend of what we see as one Android update every year. So, in this update, some bugs were fixed, including drivers for USB-C and fingerprint readers. But it introduced the ‘Now on Tap’ feature which was basically a modified search button. People were expecting Google to make it more attractive in upcoming updates but it didn’t at Viralblogy.
Android 7.0 and 7.1: Nougat
Years after Nougat brought several significant changes that are still continuing and went on to become symbolic for Android. The split-screen mode, the data saver or power save feature in the menu, and a shortcut to move between apps were some new features added. But the most significant was the Google Assistant, which changed a whole lot of things. Besides Google Assistant came along with the launch of Google’s first self-made handset, the Google Pixel.
Android 8.0 and 8.1: Oreo
Oreo led to the first auto-update feature that will let users know whenever any new update comes. The picture-in-picture mode, the feature of snoozing notifications and selecting which app’s notification you would like to be informed and which one to ignore. You could do this selection for the first time. Oreo came in 2017 when Google was making efforts of mixing Android and Chrome OS. For more info go to Viralblogy.
Android 9: Pie
The pie was all about minor adjustments like the improving Wifi controls, Battery saver mode, and adjustments to privacy and security. It introduced the Digital Wellbeing feature that manages how many phones you use and relates it with the standard timing and says whether you are overusing the phone or not. The navigation button was made a hybrid with a small button along with the home button.
Android 10
Android 10 also didn’t turn the world upside down but made soothing updates like introducing the all-new dark theme, and a focus mode that restricts the notifications to prevent the person from getting distracted. A new demand for live captions was also fulfilled that gave captions for whatever media you are watching or even listening to without switching mobile data on earlier unavailable in Windows 11.
Android 11
In September 2020 came Android 11, this version was more about strengthening privacy and cybersecurity to make users’ personal information which Google usually takes a lot of it secure from predators. Earlier the permissions were by default granted when you installed a new application like using contacts, microphone etc. But now you could select which permissions to give access and whether just for once or let the phone access it automatically or not at all.
Android 12
Android 12 is the latest one to arrive, it was in October 2021. First, it was launched for Google Pixel phones not for Windows 11 later it was made mainstream. Android 12 was all about Artificial Intelligence such as informing how many phones you are using, how much memory each of your applications is using and which one should you uninstall as recommended by AI.