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Introduction
A mobile app is a software program that runs on handheld devices like phone, tablet etc. Android mobile apps and updates hold the greatest position in the dynamic world of mobile technology. The features like multi-function, friendly use and responsiveness has made it more popular for the current mobile users. Android offers some inbuilt features and function for users, some others are accessible through thousands of applications. Google Play Store is a popular place from where you can download the Android mobile apps and have filled with millions of apps with over 50 Billion downloads.
With expanding sales of Android gadgets, Update is essential to keep the android operating system secure, stable, and trendy with the latest advancements and features. Developers of Mobile App Development Company in Chennai are being profoundly occupied with offering top class android app to everyone. Also they focus towards creating apps they can respond to the varying trends and optimize the apps accordingly to stay ahead of the competition.
It’s difficult to imagine the world without mobile app development services that keep everyone connected with the other entity. Android holds the major part behind all those applications that make life easier, innovative and comfortable. Android platform has seen a number of updates to its base operating system since its initial release and shaping the future of mobile technology.
List Of Android Versions
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In today’s date Android is known to be the most used and preferred OS. Android operating system history began with the release of Android beta in November 2007. Here we are going to see about all the android versions since initial release to till date.
Android 1.0 Alpha –2008
The first commercial version of Android 1.0 was launched in September 2008. This version had 4 revolutionary features, which are imperative even today for the developers of mobile app development companies Chennai:
I. The Google Maps
II. The Gmail integration
III. App store -The Market
IV. Scroll Down Notification Bar
Other features included were Youtube, Google calendar, Google browser, Google contacts and Google talk. It was revolutionary for the users to experience on their smartphones when it was released.
Yet there were many gaps in functionality. Hardware buttons and physical keyboards were mandatory as Android handsets were not permitted to be sold without a trackball.
Android 1.1 Beta - 2009
The 1.1 update known as the T-Mobile G1 was released in February 2009.This version resolved issues that were encountered in the 1.0 build as well as implementing some API changes by the developers of mobile application Development Company in Chennai. The Maps app was enhanced to display details and reviews for venues and locations. Added functionality enables users to click on businesses to view detailed information.
Android 1.5 Cupcake - 2009
From Cupcake Android version it started the tasty treat naming tradition for Android releases. This version was launched in April 2009. Cupcake version supported for third party keyboards, including text prediction and user dictionaries. And had live widgets -an analogue clock, a music player, a calendar, a picture frame and a search function. Video recording and playback also played a significant step in 1.5, featuring support for MPEG4 and 3GP formats.
Android 1.6 Donut – 2009
This version arrived in September 2009. Donut announced Top paid, Top free, and newly released apps and also screenshot capability. Camera and gallery interfaces have been enriched and camera usage speed was made quicker and more responsive with the mobile app development services. Ability to select multiple photos in the gallery for deletion is added. WVGA resolution support was added for handset displays and location services improvement brought a free turn-by-turn navigation feature.
Android 2.0/2.1 Éclair - 2009
Eclair was launched just a month after Donut in November of 2009. Expanded Account sync is an important feature which allowed adding multiple accounts to a device for synchronization of email and contact. Microsoft email support with combined inbox to browse email from multiple accounts in one page was also added. New camera features like flash support, scene mode, digital zoom, white balance, color effect and macro focus were added. Live Wallpapers, animated wallpapers are also introduced. Android 2.1 Eclair mainly brought bug fixes and stability improvements.
Android 2.2 Froyo – 2009
Android 2.2 Froyo was introduced in May 2010. Some of the features included in this version. The major update with the Froyo version was the addition of Flash. Enhanced Bluetooth compatibility with docks and car speakers and Portable WiFi hotspot for sharing 3G connection with other gadgets are some of the cool features in this version that are appreciated by the experts of top mobile app Development Company.
Android 2.3 GingerBread - 2010
The Android Gingerbread version was released in 2010. Standard keyboard has been improved in Android Gingerbread with faster input and more intuitive typing. Front facing camera support for video calling and Download manager were added in this version.
Android 3.0/3.1/3.2 Honeycomb - 2011
Honeycomb was released in May 2011 specifically for tablets. One notable difference in this version was that there was no longer a need for hardware buttons, they had built into the OS itself. Web browser presented tabbed browsing. Hardware buttons are introduced in favour of on-screen buttons.
Android 4.0 Ice cream Sandwich - 2011
Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS) was introduced in May 2011. Android 4.0's Web browser closely matched the desktop Chrome browser experience. Snapshot obtained by holding down the power button and the volume down is an added feature. One of the most ambitious features that professionals of mobile app development companies Chennai value is the new Face Unlock feature that allows users to unlock the handsets just by looking into the front-facing camera. Ice Cream Sandwich version widgets are resizable and more robust than earlier versions.
Android 4.1 Jelly Bean – 2012
The Android Jelly Bean version was announced in June 2012. Following are the features that came with it.
Google Now which displays relevant information based on your search history. Project Butter - supports higher frame rates when swiping through menus and home screens. Widgets realign themselves when adding new ones. Expandable notifications. New gestures and accessibility features. Voice Search – By simply saying “Google” out loud on the Google Now screen you can ask your question or speak your search.
Android 4.4 Kitkat - 2013
Android 4.4 KitKat which was the last 4.x release brought some major improvements internally and visually to Android was released in November 2013. Some of the features of this version that will impact on mobile app development services are.
Emojis – A fun feature to add cartoonish ideograms and smileys in text messages was added. Contact Prioritization - prioritize the contact list by sorting by the people with whom they chat the most often. Smarter Caller ID - The dialer has a search field which can use to search for a business’s contact info listed in Google Map
Android 5.0 Lollipop - 2014
Android 5.0 Lollipop was announced in May 2014, and this has been the biggest redesign for Android and for the designers of Mobile App Development Company In Chennai.
Better Sound profiles - Android 5.1 allows you to set your phone to silent or the "None" setting till your next alarm. Notifications can be flicked away – App notifications appear on the lock screen, can swipe to dismiss and a double tap gets into the relevant tap Better device protection - Android Smart Lock pairs your device with other recognized devices by verifying your identity. Built-in battery saver feature elongates the battery life by up to 90 minutes.
Android 6.0 Marshmallow – 2015
Marshmallow showcased in 2015 made the experience of Lollipop even better. Some of notable features are.
Google Now - When within an app, by pressing and holding the home button Now on Tap will "scan" it for related information, and display as cards. Clear permissions system - Previous versions forced the user to configure app settings while install, downloading apps seems an overly complex, drawn-out process. But, Marshmallow asks for your permission only when it needs to. Smart Lock for Passwords - "Smart Lock" allows "the passwords for the Android apps to be saved to the Google account." This feature allows storing the app passwords on the cloud and can access whenever moving to a new device.
Android N Nougat – Announced in 2016
Nougat version announced in March 2016 is yet to come in India has expected with below features by the mobile app development companies Chennai.
Doze on the Go for better standby time. Multi Window feature for using two apps simultaneously. Better Settings app. Clear all features in the recent apps screen. Can reply directly to notifications. Quick Settings toggles customization.
Android 8.0 to 8.1: Oreo – Announced in August 2017
While this update is not fully-stacked with features as prior to older Android releases yet Android Oreo has plenty of features that make it a must-download for the users. Now you are able to do the tasks more quickly with 2x the boot speed. The most awaited and amazing multitasking feature of users’ expectations is now available on the new Android Oreo mobile app development services. The Auto fill API framework in the Oreo update eliminates the need for password manager.
With the picture-in-picture feature, you are now allowed to continue do video call in Duo, use Google Maps navigation or stream a video. Oreo will take care of it.
Android 9.0: Pie – 2018
Android 9.0 improves the navigation by incorporating new navigation gestures which are simple, minimalistic and more intuitive. The new in-app actions allow the users to do tasks directly from the app itself without having to go to another app. There are some features included in Android 9.0 keeping Digital Wellbeing in mind. App Slices feature shows a piece of the application from inside another application when you need it the most.
Now with Android Pie, Android devices get support for the Wi-Fi Round-Trip-Time (RTT) which enables indoor GPS-style tracking. Enabled with proper hardware support, apps can use Wi-Fi RTT for measuring the distance between RTT-capable Access Points. Gesture Navigation of Android Pie encourages exploring the framework without using the old navigation bar. Still more exciting features involved which are being focused by the experts of top mobile app Development Company.
Android 10 - Released in September 2019
Smart Replies have got upgraded in Android 10. The previously ability of being use a preset message now recognizes Google Maps links, YouTube videos, and other URLs embedded in the messages and allows users to move on to relevant apps right from the notification pop-up. The More are helpful in this update. Android 10’s live caption puts captions on top of videos in real-time and works offline also.
The Digital Wellbeing app on top of Android 9 is getting its extra focus on Android 10. Android 10 brings obvious privacy controls in the phone’s privacy settings that you can access through the Google account page on the web.
Android platform has evolved significantly since its launch in 2008. This powers more than 1 Billion users who use the Android app daily. Android apps have become one of the biggest sources of revenue and driven the smartphone era forward. Every Android version release brings improvements and fixes, which makes phones more secure from hackers and add new, useful features.
We hope this guide that features the history of Android version history is enlightening and informative for you. The key points of versatility, greatness and constant update to the changes drives the mobile app development services team in making them stick to the most recent tools and advancements while developing mobile applications for the users.
Android 11 : Red Velvet Cake– 2020
Conversation Notifications: A new feature introduced in ANDROID 11 is a dedicated conversation section within the notification shade. It allowed users to easily distinguish and prioritize important conversations from other notifications.
Bubbles: Android 11 introduced a feature called "Bubbles" that functions similarly to Facebook Messenger's chat heads. With the bubbles icons users can easily interact with the chats, without having to switch between apps.
Screen Recording: Without the need of third party applications, Android added an in-build feature called screen recording.
Smart Device Controls: Android 11 introduced a convenient feature called "Smart Device Controls" that aimed to simplify the control and management of smart home devices. With Smart Device Controls, users could quickly view and interact with their smart devices without needing to open separate apps or navigate through multiple menus.
One-time Permissions: Android 11 enhanced the privacy by one-time permission. Users can give temporary access to microphone, camera, and location for specific app sessions.
Media Controls: Android 11 revamped the quick access to playback controls and the ability to switch playback devices directly from the notification shade.
Enhanced 5G Support: In Android 11, applications can leverage the full potential of 5G capabilities, enabling rapid download and upload times. This translates to smooth streaming of multimedia content and smoother browsing experiences.
Wireless Android Auto: Wireless Connectivity for android auto was launched in android 11 to eliminate requirement for USB cable connections.
Android 12 : Snow Cone– 2021
Material You Design: Android 11 allowed users to personalize the system's colors, shapes, and fonts to create a more personalized user interface.
Enhanced Privacy Features: Users will get notified when an app is accessing the camera or microphone using the new feature called privacy indicator.
Improved Widgets: Android allows users to adjust the size of widgets on the home screen to fit their preferences. It also offered smoother transitions and animations.
Enhanced Auto-Rotate: An auto-rotate feature that used the device's front-facing camera to detect the user's face and determine the appropriate screen orientation more accurately.
One-Handed Mode: Android 12 introduced a one-handed mode to work with larger devices with one hand by shrinking the screen's size.
Smart App Power Saving: Android 12, an automatic app hibernation feature that frees up storage capacity and enhances device performance by putting unused apps into a dormant state.
Enhanced Accessibility: A "head pointer" option that allowed users to control the device with head movements, improved gesture navigation.
Android 13 : Tiramisu– 2022
New Themed Icons: The app can be personalized with tints and colors that match the phone's wallpaper or theme. This customization feature is applicable to both Google apps and non-Google apps.
Resolution Switching: A new addition feature called the "Screen resolution" page is now available under the 'Display' settings. The users can select the two most common screen resolutions, namely QHD+ 1440p or FHD+ 1080p, specifically designed for supported tablets and handheld devices.
Modified Visual for Media Player: In Android 13, a new setting called "App Language" has been introduced. Using this feature, users can set specific language for individual apps through the settings menu.
Permissions on Notifications: keeping all app notifications under our control. The newly downloaded app needs permission to send notifications.
Real-time messaging: Messages can be sent even when the phone is inaccessible. Additionally you can utilize your messaging app directly on your chromebook,enabling you to send and receive messages while working on your laptop.
Advanced 3D Audio: Spatial Audio, enabled by head-tracking headphones, allows you to immerse yourself in sound that dynamically adjusts based on the movement of your head.
Concurrent task on a tablet: The taskbar has been redesigned to enable users to simultaneously view all open apps in tablets.With drag-and-drop functionality, users can experience the convenience of a split-screen view that enables them to work on multiple apps side by side, directly from the taskbar.
Android 14 : Upside Down Cake– 2023
Photo Picker: To prevent apps from accessing all of your photos, a photo picker feature has been implemented. This feature allows you to selectively choose specific photos instead of granting full access. In many popular apps like WhatsApp, the API initially requests permission for accessing photos, and subsequently, it prompts you to enable "allow all the time" permission instead of asking for permission each time you select photos.
Notification Flashes: The Notification Flashes feature has been implemented for the individuals with hearing impairments. This feature uses visual signals such as flashing lights or visual notifications to alert users who may have difficulty hearing audio notifications.
Camera and battery optimizations: Android has undergone extensive optimization to enhance battery consumption and improve Quality of Life (QoL) with various UI and internal functionality enhancements. These improvements aim to provide users with a Uninterrupted and more seamless experience while using their Android devices.
App Pair: Apps pair features enable users to use apps in pairs facilitating split-screen functionality.For the multitasking experience , the user can minimize and maximize these paired apps.
Auto-confirm Unlock: Android 14 Beta 4 adds an Auto-confirm unlock feature. Helps to unlock your device quickly and easily by entering passcode without the need of pressing buttons.
Separate Ring and Notification volumes: In earlier versions of Android, users encountered a challenge as there was only one volume setting for both ring volume and notifications. when the user wants their phone's volume to ring quietly also decreases the volume of notifications, leading to missed alerts. This was caught in android 14 by introducing separate volume controls for ring volume and notifications. This empowers users to independently customize their ring volume without impacting the notification volume. .
Android device into webcam: Without the need of purchasing a webcam separately, this feature helps use smart phone's camera as a webcam with high quality. However, in Android 14, a new feature was released that enables users to utilize their Android devices as external cameras, offering the ability to stream at a higher resolution of 1080p.
Partial Screen Recorder: In Android 14, the partial screen recorder feature allows users to selectively record specific apps, capturing their content without any user interface (UI) elements or notifications appearing in the recordings. This functionality ensures that the recorded content remains clean and focused, eliminating distractions and unwanted elements from the recordings.
Not everyone may love the change but the updates speak to dramatic shifts in Google's priorities all the same.
