Android version history

The version history of the Android operating system began with the release of the Android 1.0 beta in November 2007. Android is a mobile operating system developed by Google and the Open Handset Alliance, and has seen a number of updates to its base operating system since its original release. These updates typically fix bugs and add new features. Since April 2009, each Android version has been developed under a codename based on a dessert item. These versions have released in alphabetical order: Cupcake, Donut, Eclair, Froyo, Gingerbread, Honeycomb and Ice Cream Sandwich. The pre-release versions of Android were dubbed Astro and Bender, but these names could not ultimately be used for trademark reasons.[1]

Contents

Beta

The Android beta was released on 5 November 2007,[2][3] while the software developer's kit (SDK) was released on 12 November 2007.[4]

Android 1.0

Android 1.0, the first commercial version of the software, was released on 23 September 2008.[5] The first Android device, the HTC Dream (G1),[6] incorporated the following Android 1.0 features:

Android 1.1

On 9 February 2009, the Android 1.1 update was released, initially for the T-Mobile G1 only. The update resolved bugs, changed the API and added a number of other features:[13]

1.5 Cupcake

On 30 April 2009, the Android 1.5 update, dubbed Cupcake, was released, based on Linux kernel 2.6.27.[14][15] The update included several new features and UI amendments:[16]

1.6 Donut

On 15 September 2009, the Android 1.6 SDK – dubbed Donut – was released, based on Linux kernel 2.6.29.[18][19][20] Included in the update were numerous new features:[18]

2.0/2.1 Eclair

2.0

On 26 October 2009, the Android 2.0 SDK – codenamed Eclair – was released, based on Linux kernel 2.6.29.[21] Changes included:[22]

2.0.1

The Android 2.0.1 SDK was released on 3 December 2009.[24] It was a minor platform release deployable to Android-powered handsets, including minor API changes, bug fixes and framework behavioral changes.[24]

2.1

The 2.1 SDK was released on 12 January 2010.[25] It was a minor platform release deployable to Android-powered handsets, including minor amendments to the API and bug fixes.[25]

2.2.x Froyo

2.2

On 20 May 2010, the Android 2.2 (Froyo) SDK was released, based on Linux kernel 2.6.32.[26][27] Its features included:[26]

2.2.1

The Android 2.2.1 update was released on 18 January 2011, and included a number of bug fixes, security updates, and performance improvements.[33]

2.2.2

The Android 2.2.2 update was released on 22 January 2011, and fixed minor bugs, including SMS routing issues that affected the Nexus One.[34]

2.2.3

The Android 2.2.3 update was released on 21 November 2011, and consisted of two security patches.

2.3.x Gingerbread

2.3

On 6 December 2010, the Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) SDK was released, based on Linux kernel 2.6.35.[35][36] Changes included:[35]

2.3.3

Released on 9 February 2011, Android 2.3.3 included several improvements and API fixes.[39]

2.3.4

Version 2.3.4 introduced support for voice or video chat using Google Talk.[40]

2.3.5

Released on 25 July 2011, Android 2.3.5 included a number of system enhancements:[41]

2.3.6

Released on 2 September 2011, this version fixed a voice search bug. The 2.3.6 update had the side-effect of impairing the Wi-Fi hotspot functionality of many Canadian Nexus S phones. Google acknowledged this problem and fixed it in late September.[42][43]

2.3.7

Android 2.3.7 introduced Google Wallet support for the Nexus S 4G.

3.x Honeycomb

3.0

On 22 February 2011, the Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) SDK – the first tablet-only Android update – was released, based on Linux kernel 2.6.36.[44][45][46][47] The first device featuring this version, the Motorola Xoom tablet, was released on 24 February 2011.[48] Changes included:[44]

3.1

The 3.1 SDK was released on 10 May 2011.[49] Changes included:

3.2

The 3.2 SDK was released on 15 July 2011,[52] first appearing on Huawei's MediaPad tablet.[53] Changes included:

3.2.1

The Android 3.2.1 update was released on 20 September 2011, and included a number of amendments:

3.2.2

The 3.2.2 update was released on 30 August 2011, and included bug fixes and other minor improvements for the Motorola Xoom 4G.

4.x Ice Cream Sandwich

Android 4.0 – codenamed Ice Cream Sandwich – was previewed at the May 2011 Google I/O event,[54] and officially launched at the Galaxy Nexus and Ice Cream Sandwich release event on 19 October 2011.[55]

4.0.1

The SDK for Android 4.0.1 was publicly released on 19 October 2011.[56] Google's Gabe Cohen stated that ICS was "theoretically compatible" with any Android 2.3.x device in production at that time.[57] The source code for ICS became available on 14 November 2011, three days before the Galaxy Nexus was released.[58] New features included:[59][60][61]

4.0.2

The Android 4.0.2 update was released on 28 November 2011, and fixed minor bugs on the Verizon Galaxy Nexus, the launch of which was later delayed.[65][66]

4.0.3

The Android 4.0.3 update was first released on 16 December 2011.[67] It included a number of bug fixes and optimizations, and offered improvements to graphics, databases, spell-checking and Bluetooth functionality, along with new APIs for developers, including a social stream API in the Contacts provider. Other features included Calendar provider enhancements, new camera apps enhancing video stabilization and QVGA resolution, and accessibility refinements such as improved content access for screen readers.[68]

See also

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External links