Android operating system is undoubtedly one of the best operating systems. It has almost been a decade since the first android was launched in 2008. While it came into existence, during the period when Apple’s IOS was at its peak and had almost no serious competition owing to the absence of rivals or even counterparts. However, despite its cold reception, it has gradually evolved into what it is today, finding a place in the lives of a majority of smartphone users. The post below mentions the gradual developments that ensued in the progression of the most used operating system-Android.
Android 1.0
The first commercial version of the Android operating system was not given any name. However, it has been referred to as Android 1.0. This attempt culminated into the first challenge to the very voguish IOS. Although the android system had just 35 applications made for phones having it along with features like Gmail, Bluetooth, Google Maps, Google Calendar, and Pull down notification.
Cupcake 1.5
This version of the Android operating system marked the beginning of android naming norm in alphabetical order, hence, being the first grantee of this tradition. Launched in April 2009, this version of the Android operating system actually brought this neoteric innovation into limelight. A range of facets entailed with the progression of this operating system including support for third-party virtual keyboards, support for widgets, video recording and playback in MPEG and 3GP format, uploading on Picasa and YouTube, animated screen transitions and a few more.
Donut 1.6
Launched on September 2009, this flagship of android operating system took android smartphones a level further. With a number of features being added to this system, this android system actually modified people perception about it. While the number of apps were increased, aspects like Android search, Voice search, Handwriting gestures etc were added.
Eclair 2.0/ 2.1
This version of the android underwent many additions with most relating to camera-oriented features. To name a few, other developments included pinch zoom, multiple user accounts, Quick Contact, live wallpapers, five home screens, improved keyboard, microphone icon for voice dictation in emails, speech-to-text option and Bluetooth 2.1.
Froyo 2.2
A derived term from the word frozen yogurt, Froyo, android system started to become a little more user-oriented with the advent of this variant. The highlight of this version was the facet of installing apps on micro-sd card, with few others being 720p screens, Adobe flash 10/1 and a few others.
Gingerbread 2.3
Making its first appearance in 2010, this android operating system majorly sought to revolutionize the user-interface with a darker theme. Features like NFC, download manager and aiding facets like copy paste were added and improved respectively.
Honeycomb 3.0
While the android was to face stiff competition with the gigantic IOS, the focus of this version was only on the clash between IOS and android. Owing to the launch of IPad, android main bout was on the creation of tablets which will prove as an efficient counterparts to IPad. However, a number of other features were also added to this system including video chatting, multiple browser tabs, keyboard and various others.
Ice cream sandwich 4.0
Coming into limelight in the year 2011, this version entailed several modish features including virtual button, recent apps button and few others, that empowered this version with a power like computers.
Jelly Bean 4.1 / 4.2
Proceeding a conference announcement on 27th June 2012, this version of the android operating system was all set reform functionality and performance of UI. Other features that made a it superlative version that time were customizable widgets, voice assistant, and a drop down menu.
Kitkat 4.4
This version of the android operating system made its reach possible to many as with this devices with only 512MB of RAM could run this variant smoothly. With much need improvements ensuing, this version brought user-friendly changes to Hangouts with a bunch of sms related capabilities.
Lollipop 5.0
Flaunting the pride of being given one of the fanciest names, this version came up with changes in features like icons, animations, and multitasking menu, along with an integration of android lock screen. This version was the vision of android for its future variants.
Marshmallow 6.0
Marshmallow is all about wallowing in the awesome additions of new and improved Google Now, a new way of handling apps, and the fingerprint sensor support.
Nougat 7.0
This version brings one of the most craved feature of multi-tasking in a smartphone-split screen. This multi-windowed support while being the main USP of the version, is accompanied with various other features which made it the focal point of tittle-tattle in the tech world.
While many brands claim to offer this version of android in their smartphones, however, going for a reliable source always serves a better option. Some of the reliable brands that have seen up gradation along with progression in these android versions are Samsung, Panasonic India Smartphone, especially Eluga Series devices,Sony etc.
While two other variants of the android operating system has also made their way into limelight, however not many differences can be sighted both between them and the Nougat version. Till date, Nougat remains to be one of the most used operating system and can be found in a majority of smart phones.
