The acquisition of Android by Google in 2005 is what lead to Google’s entry into the smartphone market. Today, Android operating system runs more than 250 devices including smartphones and tablets produced by 23 different manufacturers.Google released their first version of Google that was referred to as Alpha version and they released a beta version later. After a while, they released their first version of Android.Android Facts that you didn't knowGoogle launched the Android OS to compete with the likes of Apple’s iOS and Microsoft’s Windows OS. The company also offered 10 million US dollars to developers who would make the best Android application from their first version of Android SDK.Here is the revolution of Google’s Android from their first version.
Version 1.0
Android Version 1.0 was a great start, but there were many gaps in functionality. Hardware buttons and physical keyboards were compulsory as Android handsets were not allowed to be sold without a trackball.
Version 1.1
The Android OS was updated in Feb 2009 for the first time. This update included fixes for the severe bugs and added some features such as the ‘About phone’ button, support for paid applications was added to the Android market, and Maps added Google Latitude.
Android 1.5: Cupcake
Thus Android Cupcake contributed greatly to the improvement of the camera. This update added some key features such as an increase in the GPS position speed detection, automatic loading of videos on Picasa and YouTube, and the adoption of a virtual keyboard.
Android 1.6 Donut
Released on September 15, 2009. Android Donut added voice search and quick search. Other features that were modified in this version included text-to-speech languages, battery usage indicator, and grouping of gallery and camera apps and shooting mode addition.
Android 2.0 Éclair
Released on October 26, 2009. Features added include Bluetooth 2.1 support, contact sync and multiple accounts for email, added function for the calendar applications and HTML5 support.
Android 2.2 Froyo
Released on May 20, 2010. Key features included Adobe Flash 10.1 support, a multilingual keyboard, a widget guide, and support for creating hotspots.
Android 2.3 Gingerbread
Released on December 6, 2010. The main updates included a new keyboard that supported faster text input, ability to select text features, integrated internet calls and a revised interface for faster and easier user experience.
Android 3.0 Honeycomb
Released on 22 Feb 2011. This update foresaw the introduction of tablet version in Android market as the interface was optimized for larger screen. There was also an improved multitasking, customization, and widgets, notification management on the home screen. Other features included built-in support for easy transfer of files to your PC and added tethering via Bluetooth.
Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich
Released on 18 October 2012. Updates include a new font (Robot), the smile-capture feature on the camera app, swipe addition to close web pages, hide notifications, etc., support for Bluetooth HDP, Android Beam, and Wi-Fi Direct and added functionality such as capture screenshots, bookmarks and managing folders.
Android 4.1 Jelly Bean
Released on 9 July 2012. Key updates included resizable widgets, Google Now, improved Android Beam and app updates improved and were more often.
Android 4.4 KitKat
Released on 31 October 2016. Android KitKat added key features such as support for wireless printing, Bluetooth MAP support, a framework for transition and memory and touch screen optimization for faster multitasking.
Android 5.0 Lollipop
Released on 12 November 2014. Android Lollipop was released alongside Nexus 9 and Nexus 6. Android 5.0 saw a huge change in the user interface makeover. The design changes are evenly distributed. Many great features such as Tap & Go, built-in battery saver, multiple user profiles, encryption and a better Google Now.
Android 6.0 Marshmallow
Android Marshmallow was released at Google 1/O in May 2015. Some great features included the Google Now on Tap, Android Pay, Granular app permissions, RAM manager, Dark theme, Home screen rotation, Doze, USB Type-C and also Fingerprint API.
Android 7.0 Nougat
Released on 22 August 2016. This is the latest Android OS in the market right now. Android Nougat saw the addition of incredible updates such as the VR mode, multi-window mode, replay to messages from notifications bar, a new notification panel, Android Beta program, an enhanced Doze mode, 3D Touch Support, and Enhancements to Google Now Launcher and much more.
