Android is an open-source software stack for mobile devices that includes an operating system, middleware and key applications.
Google Inc. purchased the initial developer of the software, Android Inc., in 2005. Android's mobile operating system is based on a modified version of the Linux kernel. Google and other members of the Open Handset Alliance collaborated on Android's development and release. The Android Open Source Project (AOSP) is tasked with the maintenance and further development of Android.
ANDROID VERSIONS:
Android operating system began with the release of the Android beta in November 2007. The first commercial version, Android 1.0, was released in September 2008.
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 or other sweet treat. These versions have been released in alphabetical order: CupCake, Donut Eclair, Froyo (frozen yogurt), Gingerbread, Honeycomb, Ice Cream Sandwich, and Jelly bean. The most recent update to the Android OS was Jelly Bean v4.1, which was announced in June 2012, and was released into the Android Open Source Project on July 9, 2012.
Android Beta
The Android beta was released on November 5, 2007.
Android 1.0
Android 1.0, the first commercial version of the software, was released on September 23, 2008. The first Android device, the HTC Dream.
Android 1.1
On February 9, 2009, the Android 1.1 update was released, initially for the HTC Dream only. Android 1.1 was known as "internally,though this name was not used officially. The update resolved bugs changed the API and added a number of features.
Android 1.5 CupCake
On April 30, 2009, the Android 1.5 update was released, based on Linux kernel 2.6.27. This was the first release to officially use a name based on a dessert ("Cupcake"), a theme which would be used for all releases henceforth.
Android 1.6 Donut
On September 15, 2009, the Android 1.6 SDK – dubbed Donut – was released, based on Linux kernel 2.6.29.
Android 2.0/2.1 Eclair
On October 26, 2009, the Android 2.0 SDK – codenamed Eclair – was released, based on Linux kernel 2.6.29.
Android 2.2.x Froyo
On May 20, 2010, the Android 2.2 (Froyo, short for Frozen Yogurt) SDK was released, based on Linux kernel 2.6.32.
Android 2.3.x Gingerbread
On December 6, 2010, the Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) SDK was released, based on
Linux kernel 2.6.35.
Android 3.x Honeycomb
On February 22, 2011, the Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) SDK – the first tablet-only Android update – was released, based on Linux kernel 2.6.36. The first device featuring this version, the Motorola Xoom tablet, was released on February 24, 2011.
Android 4.0.x Ice Cream Sandwich
The SDK for Android 4.0.1 (Ice Cream Sandwich), based on Linux kernel 3.0.1, was publicly released on October 19, 2011. Google's Gabe Cohen stated that Android 4.0 was "theoretically compatible" with any Android 2.3.x device in production at that time The source code for Android 4.0 became available on November 14, 2011.
Android 4.1.x Jelly bean
On June 27, 2012, at the Google I/O conference, Google announced Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean). Based on Linux kernel 3.0.31, Jelly Bean was an incremental update with the primary aim of improving the functionality and performance of the user interface. Android 4.1 Jelly Bean was released to AOSP on July 9, 2012, and an OTA updates for the Nexus to Android 4.1.1 was released on July 11, 2012, making it the first device to run Jelly Bean.
Data collected during two weeks ending on March 15, 2011
Platform
API Level
Distribution
Android 3.0
11
0.2%
Android 2.3.3
10
1.0%
Android 2.3
9
0.7%
Android 2.2
8
61.3%
Android 2.1
7
29.0%
Android 1.6
4
4.8%
Google Inc. purchased the initial developer of the software, Android Inc., in 2005. Android's mobile operating system is based on a modified version of the Linux kernel. Google and other members of the Open Handset Alliance collaborated on Android's development and release. The Android Open Source Project (AOSP) is tasked with the maintenance and further development of Android.
ANDROID VERSIONS:
Android operating system began with the release of the Android beta in November 2007. The first commercial version, Android 1.0, was released in September 2008.
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 or other sweet treat. These versions have been released in alphabetical order: CupCake, Donut Eclair, Froyo (frozen yogurt), Gingerbread, Honeycomb, Ice Cream Sandwich, and Jelly bean. The most recent update to the Android OS was Jelly Bean v4.1, which was announced in June 2012, and was released into the Android Open Source Project on July 9, 2012.
Android Beta
The Android beta was released on November 5, 2007.
Android 1.0
Android 1.0, the first commercial version of the software, was released on September 23, 2008. The first Android device, the HTC Dream.
Android 1.1
On February 9, 2009, the Android 1.1 update was released, initially for the HTC Dream only. Android 1.1 was known as "internally,though this name was not used officially. The update resolved bugs changed the API and added a number of features.
Android 1.5 CupCake
On April 30, 2009, the Android 1.5 update was released, based on Linux kernel 2.6.27. This was the first release to officially use a name based on a dessert ("Cupcake"), a theme which would be used for all releases henceforth.
Android 1.6 Donut
On September 15, 2009, the Android 1.6 SDK – dubbed Donut – was released, based on Linux kernel 2.6.29.
Android 2.0/2.1 Eclair
On October 26, 2009, the Android 2.0 SDK – codenamed Eclair – was released, based on Linux kernel 2.6.29.
Android 2.2.x Froyo
On May 20, 2010, the Android 2.2 (Froyo, short for Frozen Yogurt) SDK was released, based on Linux kernel 2.6.32.
Android 2.3.x Gingerbread
On December 6, 2010, the Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) SDK was released, based on
Linux kernel 2.6.35.
Android 3.x Honeycomb
On February 22, 2011, the Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) SDK – the first tablet-only Android update – was released, based on Linux kernel 2.6.36. The first device featuring this version, the Motorola Xoom tablet, was released on February 24, 2011.
Android 4.0.x Ice Cream Sandwich
The SDK for Android 4.0.1 (Ice Cream Sandwich), based on Linux kernel 3.0.1, was publicly released on October 19, 2011. Google's Gabe Cohen stated that Android 4.0 was "theoretically compatible" with any Android 2.3.x device in production at that time The source code for Android 4.0 became available on November 14, 2011.
Android 4.1.x Jelly bean
On June 27, 2012, at the Google I/O conference, Google announced Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean). Based on Linux kernel 3.0.31, Jelly Bean was an incremental update with the primary aim of improving the functionality and performance of the user interface. Android 4.1 Jelly Bean was released to AOSP on July 9, 2012, and an OTA updates for the Nexus to Android 4.1.1 was released on July 11, 2012, making it the first device to run Jelly Bean.
Data collected during two weeks ending on March 15, 2011
Platform
API Level
Distribution
Android 3.0
11
0.2%
Android 2.3.3
10
1.0%
Android 2.3
9
0.7%
Android 2.2
8
61.3%
Android 2.1
7
29.0%
Android 1.6
4
4.8%