The Evolution of Android – From 1.0 to 9.0

It’s been a really long journey since the inaugural release of Android till today, a decade might seen as a long time but it passed in a blink of an eye. Google’s mobile operating system may have started out scrappy but we have seen it evolved. No consumer technology in the history has evolved as quickly as the smartphone, and Android has been at the very center of that evolution. And as of today, there are more than 2 billion smartphone users in the world and approximately 85 percent are using Android. After a decade of being the world’s most dominant OS, let’s take a look back at Android’s journey. Here’s the Android version highlights from the platform’s birth to present.

Where it all begun!

The Android era officially began in 2008, with the launch of T-mobile G1, in the early days Android didn’t had any code name, and it was simply called as Android 1.0 Version and 1.1. Back then things were pretty basic the software only included basic Google apps like Gmail, Maps, Calendar, and Youtube.

The very first version of Android was obviously far less developed than what we have now, but there were few similarities like the pull down notification window and a groundbreaking innovation, the Google Play Store, which at the time, was called the Market.

Android version 1.5 “Cupcake”

With the next 2009 release, the tradition of Android version names started. The 1.5 Cupcake, introduced a lot changes to the Android interface, it was the first version of Android to have an on-screen keyboard, it also brought the framework for thirdparty app widgets.

It is difficult to imagine a smartphone without video recording. Earlier Android users could only capture photos, but all thanks to Cupcake that changed. This Android version supported video capturing.

Android Version 1.6 “Donut”

Android 1.6 Donut rolled out in 2009, and it filled a lot of important loopholes in Android. Donut was the first version of Android to support different screen sizes and resolutions, an important factor that played a critical role in future. It also introduced a quick search box that basically allowed users to quickly search the web, local files, contacts, and more directly from the home screen without having to open any apps.

Android version 2.0 to 2.1 “Eclair”

The next version Eclair emerged in just six weeks after Donut. The Android 2.0 Eclair debut brings some major changes to the operating system, many of which are still around today. It was the first to feature Google Maps navigation.

The internet browser in Android Eclair also got revamped. And last but not least was the lock screen, which got a major refresh and allowed users to swipe to unlock. From the lock screen, users could also change the phone’s mute mode.

Android version 2.2 “Froyo”

Android 2.2, Froyo appeared just four months after Android 2.1 arrived, in 2010, and it came with a lot of improvements and high class performance. Froyo introduced some important front-facing features like the addition of the nowstandard dock at the bottom of the home screen as well as the first incarnation of Voice Actions, which allowed you to perform basic functions like getting directions and making notes by tapping an icon and then speaking a command.

Android version 2.3 “Gingerbread”

This version came out in 2010, introducing Android’s first true visual identity. Bright green had long been the color of Android’s robot mascot, and with Gingerbread, it became an integral part of the operating system’s appearance. It came out in Samsung-built Nexus S.

Gingerbread also came with an improved keyboard, which offered new coloration for the keys. Last but not least is that Gingerbread added support for the front-facing camera.

Android 3.0 to 3.2 “Honeycomb”

Google made name in the smartphone industry in the initial years of Android, which is why Honeycomb was a very interesting release because it was targeted purely at tablets. It was even first showcased on a Motorola device that eventually becomes the Xoom.

This version removed the need for the physical button. Instead, the home, back, and menu buttons were all included in the software as virtual buttons, meaning they could be hidden or shown based on the application.

Android version 4.0 “Ice Cream Sandwich”

Released in 2011, Ice Cream Sandwich acted as the bridge from old to new, and also served as the platform’s official entry into the era of modern design. It also made swiping a more integral method of the operating system, with the then-revolutionary-feeling ability to swipe away things like notifications and recent apps.

Android versions 4.1 to 4.3 “Jelly Bean”

Android Jelly Bean kicked start a new era for the operating system, it doesn’t seem different from the previous versions but if you dug a little deeper, you would have seen some very important changes. The most important of which was Google Now, which could be accessed by a simple swipe and brought information like calendar events, emails, weather reports. It was the first major stab at a digital assistant, and laid groundwork for future versions.

Apart from this, a lot of other important additions were there like, Project Butter, which was aimed at drastically improving Android’s touch performance. Refreshed font, expandable notifications, greater widget flexibility, and other features were also added in Jelly Bean, making this one of the biggest updates to Android so far.

Android version 4.4 “Kitkat”

The release of Kitkat version marked the end of Android’s dark era. Lighter backgrounds and more neutral highlights took their places, with a transparent status bar and white icons giving the OS a more contemporary appearance.

Android 4.4 also saw the first version of “OK, Google” support — but in Kitkat, the hands-free activation prompt worked only when your screen was already on and you were either at your home screen or inside the Google app.

Android versions 5.0 and 5.1 “Lollipop”

Android Lollipop which debuted in 2014 was the first to feature Google’s “Material Design” philosophy, which brought a whole new look to the OS. The card-based concept that had been scattered throughout Android became a core UI pattern.

Lollipop introduced a no of new features like hands-free voice control via the “OK, Google” command, support for multiple users on phones and a priority mode for better notification management. However, this feature introduced a bunch of troubling bugs, many of which wouldn’t be fully ironed out until the following year’s 5.1 release.

Android version 6.0 “Marshmallow”

Debuted in 2015 Marshmallow started the trend of Google releasing one major Android version per year and that version always receiving its own whole number. Marshmallow’s interesting feature was a screen-search feature called Now On Tap.

However, Google never quite perfected the system and ended up quietly retiring its brand and moving it out of the forefront the following year. It also introduces some stuff like support for fingerprint readers, and support for USB-C.

Android versions 7.0 and 7.1 “Nougat”

Nougat rolled out in 2016, which feature a native split-screen mode, a new bundled-by-app system for organizing notifications, and a Data Saver feature. Nougat added some smaller but still significant features, too, like an Alt-tab-like shortcut for snapping between apps.

But the most pivotal among Nougat’s enhancements, was the launch of the Google Assistant.

Android version 8.0 and 8.1 “Oreo”

The 2017 release included some noteworthy elements that furthered Google’s goal of aligning Android and Chrome OS and it was the first Android version to feature Project Treble.

It also included native picture-in-picture mode, a notification snoozing option, and notification channels that offer fine control over how apps can alert you.

Android version 9 “Pie”

Android 9 Pie rolled out in 2018, and it’s most transformative change was its new gesture navigation system, which traded Android’s traditional Back, Home, and Overview keys for a large, multifunctional Home button and a series of gesture-based commands.

Pie included some noteworthy new productivity features like, universal suggested-reply system, a more effective method of screenshot management, more intelligent systems for power management and screen brightness control, a smarter way to handle Wi-fi hotspots, a welcome twist to Android’s Battery Saver mode, and a useful new touch for fingerprint sensors. Pie also included some privacy and security enhancement.

Android version 10 “Q”

Google released its first beta preview of Android Q in 2019 and followed it up with updated previews later in the same year. Q’s most prominent change thus far is a totally reimagined interface for Android gestures. It also introduced a new setup for security updates that’ll allow for faster and more consistent rollouts across the entire ecosystem. And an updated permissions system that gives you more control over exactly how and when apps are used. Apart from this Q also includes new system for multitasking.

Google is also planning to release a total of six Android Q betas over the course of 2019. ■