We will tell about the journey of Android in this article: Android is an open-source Linux-based operating system. Developed by the open handset alliance led by Google and other companies. Google has further developed Android TV for television and Android Auto for cars and wear for wristwatches.
What is an operating system?
- An operating system or OS is a software program that enables the hardware to communicate and operate with the software
- The operating system is an interface between the user and the hardware
- The operating system provides you with a software platform on top of which other programs called application programs, can run
What is Linux?
- Linux is a family of free and open-source software operating systems built around the Linux Kernel
- The development of Linux is one of the most prominent examples of free and open-source software collaboration
What is Open Source?
- The source code of a computer program is made free of charge to the general public
- Users can view the code that comprises the software and make any kind of change to it they want
- Anyone can take the source code and distribute their program from it
What is Android Inc?
- Initially, Andy Rubin founded Android incorporation in Palo Alto, California, United States in October 2003
- On 17th August 2005, Google acquired Android incorporation, Since then it has been the subsidiary of Google incorporation
Android Inc. to Google Android
- The idea of making an open-source smartphone operating system that would rival Symbian Apple IOS and Microsoft Windows mobile was the key reason Google was attracted to
- Back in 2003, the company quietly ( and cheaply) made what we think was its best acquisition to date. It purchased the startup company Android for $50 Million
OHA (Open Handset Alliance)
- The Open Handset Alliance (OHA) is a consortium of 84 Firms to develop open standards for mobile device
- The OHA was established on 5 November 2007, led by Google with 34 members, including mobile handset makers, application developers, some mobile carriers, and chip makers
Important Dates
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| October 2003 | Android Inc. was founded |
| July 2005 | Google acquired Android Inc. |
| November 5th, 2007 | OHA (Open Handset Alliance) was Formed |
| October 22nd, 2008 | The first Android Smart Phone HTC Dream was launched |
| September 8th, 2020 | Android OS’s latest version android 11 Released. |
What is the Android version?
- The first commercial version Android 1.0 was released on September 23, 2008
- Android code names are confectionery (Sweets & Chocolates)
- Themed and have been in alphabetical order since 2009 Android 1.5 cupcake.
Android Versions and Features
Cupcake (1.5) April 27, 2009
- First Android Version Update, It Included all the basic Google Programs ( search, Mail, Contact, calendar, etc)
- Support For Widgets, such as a search box into the App on the Home screen, Virtual Keyboard, MPEG-4 video, and YouTube/ Picasso uploading
Donut (1.6) September 15, 2009
- Search Expanded to include bookmarks and history
- More Camera Integration and feature
Eclair (2.0-2.1) 2009
- Search expanded to include SMS and MMS messages, and HTMLS Support in the Browser
- More camera features, Including flash, zoom, and white balance
Froyo (2.2-2.2.3) May 20, 201
- Support for Bluetooth hands-free
- Push Notification
- Wi-Fi hotspot functionality and Greater Screen Resolution
Gingerbread (2.3-2.3.7) December 6, 2010
- Enhanced Copy/past
- Front-facing Camera
- AAC audio and near-field Communication (NFC)
Honeycomb (3.0-3.2.6) February 22, 2011
- Introduction the Motorola XOOM
- Honeycomb was a tablet-only version that took advantage of larger screens
Icecream Sandwich (4.0-4.0.4) October 18, 2011
- Introduced on Samsung Galaxy Nexus, Icecream Sandwich (ICS) Combined gingerbread and Honeycomb Versions into one
- It also introduced NFC data transfer
Jelly Beam (4.1- 4.3.1) July 9, 2012
- It included an improved voice search which is the counterpart to Apple Siri
- Swiping Gestures and Predicative text were added to the keyboard
Kit-kat (4.4-4.4.4) October 31, 2013
- Support for older phones with less than 1 GB of RAM Memory
- “OK Google” was added to activate at voice search
Lollipop (5.0-5.1.1) November 12, 2014
- A Redesigned user interface, known as material design
- Enterprise feature included separating personal and business apps
Marshmallow (6.0-6.0.1) October 5, 2015
- Android runtime permission included
- Standardized Fingerprint Support
- Automatic data backup to the Google Cloud
- The Google Now voice search could be accessed from the lock screen
Nougat (7.0-7.1.2) August 22, 2016
- Emergency info could be displayed on the lock screen
- The Setting menu showed more information without going to the second level
Oreo (8.0-8.1) August 21, 2017
- It improved battery and performance by limiting what apps can do in the background
- Users have more control over the Notification
Pie (9.0) August 6, 2018
- It improves battery life by offering adaptive features such as learning how you use the app and change brightness
- Pie also predicts what you night to next, slices display relevant parts of the app, and gestures can be used in addition to buttons
Android 10 September 3, 2019
Android 10 Release then many features revealed
- foldable
- 5G network
- Smart Reply in Notification
- Dark Theme
- Gesture Navigation
- Setting Panels
- Sharing Shortcuts
- Privacy For Users
- Security
- Camera and Media
- connectivity
- Faster update
Android 11 September 8, 2020
Android 11 release then many Features for the user
- Device and Media Control
- Screen update
- Sensor Update
- Conversations
- 5G Visual Indicators
- Biometric authentication update
- Performance and Quality
- APK installation
Android 12 October 4, 2021
What’s new in Android 12 for user
- The most expensive dynamic and personal OS
- Responsive Motion
- Dynamic Colour
- Your favorite conversations are new front and center
- New Safety Feature
- Mic and Camera Indicators and toggles
- Choose to share a Precise or approximate location with Appa
- Scrolling Screenshots
Android 13 August 2022
Android 13 introduces great new features and APIs For Developers
- Named App Icon
- Per-app Language Preference
- Improved Text and language Support
- Color vector Fonts
- Quick Setting Placement API
- Clipboard Preview
- Photo Picker
- Graphics
- Camera and Media
- Android 14 October 4, 2023
- Internationalization
- Grammatical Inflection API
- Ultra HDR For Image
- Lossless USB Audio
- Improvement For APP Stores
- App Screen Sharing
Conclusion
From what is written above, we come to know how was the journey of Android, the way Google gradually kept adding new features through updates, and in the present time, the number of Android users is increasing.