Android (OS) and Its Versions

Operating System is the heart of Smartphones, mobiles and tablets. As the days have passed the technology advances so the OS. In today's arena there are two big fishes of Mobile OS i.e. iOS (Apple)  and Android (Google). Today we are here to discuss on Android and its  various versions and their respective features.

Android is a Linux Based operating system designed for the smartphones and tablets. Google is the developer of android in conjunction with Open Handset Alliance. Android, Inc. was founded by Andy Rubin in Palo Alto, California, in October 2003.The  first android powered mobile (T-Mobile G1 or HTC Dream) was sold in October 2008, and in 2010 end android has become the world’s leading smartphone platform, by defeating Symbian. Applications of the OS also moved very rapidly for the devices. It has around 75% share in smartphone market worldwide in 3^rd quarter 2012. 

Android is a software stack for mobiles that has operating system, software glue (middleware), and apps. Android consists of a kernel based on Linux Kernel 3.x (Android 4.0 and coming), with libraries, APIs and software glue (middleware) written in C and application software which includes Java-compatible libraries. Applications can be downloaded from Google Play.

HTC Dream- 1st Android Device

Motorola Xoom- 1st Andorid Tablet (official)

Comparison and features of various Android OS version:

Version	OS Name	Release Date	Features
Beta	Android beta	5-Nov-07	It was built for testing and response.
1.0	(Beta update)	23-Sep-08	First android device HTC Dream launched with this version.
1.1	Petit Four	9-Feb-09	This was the updated version resolved many bugs named as 'Petit Four' not officially has changed the API.
1.5	Cupcake	30-Apr-09	It was based on kernel 2.6.27 and was the first officially named on a dessert "Cupcake", this version include many new features and UI Amendments.
1.6	Donut	15-Sep-09	It was Based on kernel 2.6.29 named as "Donut" also included many new features.
2.0-2.1	Eclair	26-Oct-09	It was based on same kernel that donut used, but named as "Eclair" and has many new UI and features.
2.2	Froyo	20-May-10	It was based on Linux kernel 2.6.32.
2.3x	Gingerbread	6-Dec-10	It was based on Linux kernel 2.6.35 and also has new UI and features.
3.x	Honeycomb	22-Feb-11	It was the First Tablet only android update based on kernel 2.6.36. The first honeycomb featuring tablet was Motorola Xoom released on February 24 2011.
4.0.x	Ice Cream Sandwich	19-Oct-11	It was based Linux kernel 3.0.1, also included many features such as back home and application closer button on screen.
4.1-4.2	Jelly Bean	27-Jun-12	It was based on kernel 3.0.31, it was updated with aim of improving performance and involving "Project Butter", which uses more v-sync, triple buffering, fixed frame rate 60 fps and buttery smooth UI. Version 4.2 was to be released on 29 October 2012 but due to 'Hurricane Sandy' it was cancelled and was released on 13 November 2012 firstly on LG's Nexus 4 and Samsung's Nexus 10.

ANDROID DESERTS:

Eclair

CupCake

Donut

Froyo

Gingerbread

HoneyComb(Tablet Android)

JellyBean

ICS

User Interface (UI) Of Different Android OS:

Froyo

Gingerbread

ICS(Ice Cream Sandwich)

JellyBean

Hope you like this small review of all Android Versions.

Guys! You can follow me at Somik Sharma