Jump to content

Android version history: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
m Reverted edits by 208.54.85.223 (talk) to last version by ClueBot NG
No edit summary
Line 18: Line 18:
*18 August 2008: 0.9<ref>{{cite web |url=http://android-developers.blogspot.be/2008/08/announcing-beta-release-of-android-sdk.html |title=Announcing a beta release of the Android SDK |publisher=Android Developers Blog |date=18 August 2008 |accessdate= 24 January 2013}}</ref>
*18 August 2008: 0.9<ref>{{cite web |url=http://android-developers.blogspot.be/2008/08/announcing-beta-release-of-android-sdk.html |title=Announcing a beta release of the Android SDK |publisher=Android Developers Blog |date=18 August 2008 |accessdate= 24 January 2013}}</ref>
*23 September 2008: 1.0-r1<ref>{{cite web |url=http://android-developers.blogspot.be/2008/09/announcing-android-10-sdk-release-1.html |title=Announcing the Android 1.0 SDK, release 1 |publisher=Android Developers Blog |date=23 September 2008 |accessdate= 24 January 2013}}</ref>
*23 September 2008: 1.0-r1<ref>{{cite web |url=http://android-developers.blogspot.be/2008/09/announcing-android-10-sdk-release-1.html |title=Announcing the Android 1.0 SDK, release 1 |publisher=Android Developers Blog |date=23 September 2008 |accessdate= 24 January 2013}}</ref>

== Version history by API level ==
The following tables show the release dates and key features of all Android OS updates to date, listed chronologically by their official [[application programming interface]] (API) levels.
{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" style="width:100%; font-size:90%;"
|-
! style="background:#e9e9e9; text-align:center;" colspan="4"| {{TOC tab|Android 1.0 (API level 1)}}
|-
! style="text-align:left;" colspan=4|Android 1.0, the first commercial version of the software, was released on 23 September 2008.<ref>{{cite web |last=Morrill |first=Dan |title=Announcing the Android 1.0 SDK, release 1 |publisher=Android Developers Blog |date=23 September 2008 |url=http://android-developers.blogspot.com/2008/09/announcing-android-10-sdk-release-1.html |accessdate=12 January 2011}}</ref> The first commercially available Android device was the [[HTC Dream]].<ref name=HTC>{{cite news |publisher=T-Mobile |url= http://www.t-mobile.com/company/PressReleases_Article.aspx?assetName=Prs_Prs_20080923&title=T-Mobile%20Unveils%20the%20T-Mobile%20G1%20%E2%80%93%20the%20First%20Phone%20Powered%20by%20Android |accessdate=15 October 2013 |title=T-Mobile Unveils the T-Mobile G1 – the First Phone Powered by Android}}</ref> Android 1.0 incorporated the following features:
|-
! style="background:#e9e9e9; width:5%; text-align:center;"|'''Version'''
! style="background:#e9e9e9; width:10%; text-align:center;"|{{nowrap|'''Release date'''}}
! style="background:#e9e9e9; width:70%; text-align:center;"|'''Features'''
! style="background:#e9e9e9; width:15%;"|'''Image(s)'''
|- valign="top"
| 1.0
| 23 September 2008
|
*[[Android Market]] application download and updates through the Market application
*[[Web browser]] to show, zoom and pan full [[HTML]] and [[XHTML]] web pages – multiple pages show as windows ("cards")<ref name="Engadget">{{cite news |url=http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/16/t-mobile-g1-review-part-2-software-and-wrap-up/ |title=T-Mobile G1 review, part 2: software and wrap-up |first=Joshua |last=Topolsky |publisher=Engadget |date=16 October 2008 |accessdate=28 June 2013}}</ref><ref name="Release features – Android 1.0">{{cite web |publisher=Google |url=https://sites.google.com/a/android.com/opensource/release-features---android-1-0 |title=Release features – Android 1.0 |year=2008 |accessdate=7 February 2013}}</ref>
*Camera support – however, this version lacked the option to change the camera's resolution, white balance, quality, etc.<ref name="T-Mobile G1 Google Android Phone">{{cite news |publisher=PC Magazine |url=http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2331003,00.asp |title=T-Mobile G1 (Google Android Phone) |first=Sascha |last=Segan |date=16 October 2008 |accessdate=6 February 2013}}</ref>
*Folders allowing the grouping of a number of application icons into a single folder icon on the Home screen<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.androidauthority.com/folders-on-the-android-desktop-and-how-to-rename-them-466/ |title=Folders on the Android desktop, and how to rename them |publisher=Android Authority |first=Darcy |last=LaCouvee |date=17 October 2008 |accessdate=28 June 2013}}</ref>
*Access to web email servers, supporting [[POP3]], [[IMAP4]], and [[SMTP]]<ref name="Release features – Android 1.0"/>
*[[Gmail]] synchronization with the Gmail application
*[[Google Contacts]] synchronization with the People application
*[[Google Calendar]] synchronization with the Calendar application
*[[Google Maps]] with [[Google Street View|Street View]] to view maps and satellite imagery, as well as find local business and obtain driving directions using [[GPS]]<ref name="T-Mobile G1 Google Android Phone"/>
*[[Google Sync]], allowing management of over-the-air synchronization of Gmail, People, and Calendar
*[[Google Search]], allowing users to search the Internet and phone applications, contacts, calendar, etc.
*[[Google Talk]] instant messaging
*[[Instant messaging]], [[text messaging]], and MMS
*[[Media player (application software)|Media Player]], enabling management, importing, and playback of media files – however, this version lacked video and stereo [[Bluetooth]] support<ref name="Release features – Android 1.0"/><ref name="T-Mobile G1 Google Android Phone"/>
*Notifications appear in the Status bar, with options to set ringtone, LED or vibration alerts<ref name="Engadget"/><ref name="Release features – Android 1.0"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://developer.android.com/guide/topics/ui/notifiers/notifications.html |title=Status Bar Notifications |publisher=Android Developers|date=Updated 24 May 2012|accessdate=1 June 2012}}</ref>
*Voice Dialer allows dialing and placing of phone calls without typing a name or number<ref name="Release features – Android 1.0"/>
*Wallpaper allows the user to set the background image or photo behind the Home screen icons and widgets
*[[YouTube]] video player<ref name="Android for Dummies">{{cite web|url=http://www.techpluto.com/what-is-android/ | title=What is Android? | date=18 September 2008|publisher=TechPluto.com|accessdate=28 June 2013}}</ref>
*Other applications include: Alarm Clock, Calculator, Dialer (Phone), Home screen (Launcher), Pictures (Gallery), and Settings
*[[Wi-Fi]] and Bluetooth support
|
|}
{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" style="width:100%; font-size:90%;"
|-
! style="background:#c6d6ac; text-align:center;" colspan="4"| {{TOC tab|Android 1.1 (API level 2)}}
|-
! style="text-align:left;" colspan=4|On 9 February 2009, the Android 1.1 update was released, initially for the HTC Dream only. Android 1.1 was known as "[[Petit four|Petit Four]]" internally, though this name was not used officially.<ref>{{cite web|title=Android Platform Overview|url=http://source.android.com/source/overview.html|publisher=Android.com|accessdate=15 September 2012}}</ref> The update resolved bugs, changed the Android [[Application programming interface|API]] and added a number of features:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://developer.android.com/sdk/android-1.1.html |title=Android 1.1 Version Notes |date=February 2009 |publisher=Android Developers |accessdate=12 January 2011}}</ref>
|-
! style="background:#c6d6ac; width:5%; text-align:center;"|'''Version'''
! style="background:#c6d6ac; width:10%; text-align:center;"|{{nowrap|'''Release date'''}}
! style="background:#c6d6ac; width:70%; text-align:center;"|'''Features'''
! style="background:#c6d6ac; width:15%;"|'''Image(s)'''
|- valign="top"
| 1.1
| 9 February 2009
|
*Details and reviews available when a user searches for businesses on Maps
*Longer in-call screen timeout default when using the speakerphone, plus ability to show/hide dialpad
*Ability to save attachments in messages
*Support added for marquee in system layouts
|
|}
{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" style="width:100%; font-size:90%;"
|-
! style="background:#d9aaa9; text-align:center;" colspan="4"| {{TOC tab|Android 1.5 Cupcake (API level 3)}}
|-
! style="text-align:left;" colspan=4|On 27 April 2009, the Android 1.5 update was released, based on [[Linux kernel]] 2.6.27.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://android-developers.blogspot.com/2009/04/android-15-is-here.html |title=Android 1.5 is here! |date=27 April 2009 |publisher=Android Developers Blog |first=Xavier |last=Ducrohet |accessdate=3 September 2009| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20090925095047/http://android-developers.blogspot.com/2009/04/android-15-is-here.html |archivedate=25 September 2009 <!--DASHBot-->|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Rob |first=Jackson |title=CONFIRMED: Official Cupcake Update Underway for T-Mobile G1 USA & UK! |date=30 April 2009 |url=http://phandroid.com/2009/04/30/official-cupcake-update-underway-for-t-mobile-g1-usa/ |publisher=Phandroid |accessdate=3 September 2009}}</ref> This was the first release to officially use a codename based on a dessert item ("Cupcake"), a theme which would be used for all releases henceforth. The update included several new features and UI amendments:<ref name="cupcake-highlights">{{cite web |date=April 2009 |url=http://developer.android.com/sdk/android-1.5-highlights.html |title=Android 1.5 Platform Highlights |publisher=Android Developers |accessdate=3 September 2009}}</ref>
|-
! style="background:#d9aaa9; width:5%; text-align:center;"|'''Version'''
! style="background:#d9aaa9; width:10%; text-align:center;"|{{nowrap|'''Release date'''}}
! style="background:#d9aaa9; width:70%; text-align:center;"|'''Features'''
! style="background:#d9aaa9; width:15%;"|'''Image(s)'''
|- valign="top"
| 1.5
| 30 April 2009
|
*Support for third-party virtual keyboards with text prediction and user dictionary for custom words
*Support for [[Widget engine|Widgets]] – miniature application views that can be embedded in other applications (such as the Home screen) and receive periodic updates<ref>{{cite web |url=http://developer.android.com/guide/topics/appwidgets/index.html |title=App Widgets |publisher=Android Developers|date=Updated 2012|accessdate=23 October 2012}}</ref>
*Video recording and playback in [[MPEG-4]] and 3GP formats
*Auto-pairing and stereo support for Bluetooth (A2DP and AVRCP profiles)
*Copy and paste features in web browser
*User pictures shown for Favorites in Contacts
*Specific date/time stamp shown for events in call log, and one-touch access to a contact card from call log event
*Animated screen transitions
*Auto-rotation option
*New stock boot animation
*Ability to upload videos to [[YouTube]]
*Ability to upload photos to [[Picasa]]
|
|}

{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" style="width:100%; font-size:90%;"
|-
! style="background:#aabad7; text-align:center;" colspan="4"| {{TOC tab|Android 1.6 Donut (API level 4)}}
|-
! style="text-align:left;" colspan=4|On 15 September 2009, the Android 1.6 SDK – dubbed Donut – was released, based on Linux kernel 2.6.29.<ref name="donut-highlights" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://android-developers.blogspot.com/2009/09/android-16-sdk-is-here.html |title=Android 1.6 SDK is here |date=15 September 2009 |publisher=Android Developers Blog |first=Xavier |last=Ducrohet |accessdate=1 October 2009 |archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20090925095011/http://android-developers.blogspot.com/2009/09/android-16-sdk-is-here.html |archivedate=25 September 2009 <!--DASHBot-->|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Ryan |first=Paul |title=Google releases Android 1.6; Palm unleashes WebOS 1.2 |date=1 October 2009 |url= http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/news/2009/10/google-releases-android-16-palm-releases-webos-12.ars |work=Ars Technica |accessdate=1 October 2009 |archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20091002105348/http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/news/2009/10/google-releases-android-16-palm-releases-webos-12.ars |archivedate=2 October 2009 <!--DASHBot-->|deadurl=no}}</ref> Included in the update were numerous new features:<ref name="donut-highlights">{{cite web |title=Android 1.6 Platform Highlights |publisher=Android Developers |date=September 2009 |url=http://developer.android.com/sdk/android-1.6-highlights.html |accessdate=1 October 2009 |archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20090927092517/http://developer.android.com/sdk/android-1.6-highlights.html |archivedate=27 September 2009 <!--DASHBot-->|deadurl=no}}</ref>
|-
! style="background:#aabad7; width:5%; text-align:center;"|'''Version'''
! style="background:#aabad7; width:10%; text-align:center;"|{{nowrap|'''Release date'''}}
! style="background:#aabad7; width:70%; text-align:center;"|'''Features'''
! style="background:#aabad7; width:15%;"|'''Image(s)'''
|- valign="top"
| 1.6
| 15 September 2009
|
*Voice and text entry search enhanced to include bookmark history, contacts, and the web
*Ability for developers to include their content in search results
*Multi-lingual [[speech synthesis]] engine to allow any Android application to "speak" a string of text
*Easier searching and ability to view app screenshots in Android Market
*Gallery, camera and camcorder more fully integrated, with faster camera access
*Ability for users to select multiple photos for deletion
*Updated technology support for [[IS-95|CDMA]]/[[Evolution-Data Optimized|EVDO]], [[IEEE 802.1X|802.1x]], [[virtual private network|VPNs]], and a text-to-speech engine
*Support for [[Wide VGA|WVGA]] screen resolutions
*Speed improvements in searching and camera applications
*Expanded Gesture framework and new GestureBuilder development tool
| align="center;" |
|}

{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" style="width:100%; font-size:90%;"
|-
! style="background:#c8bcd6; text-align:center;" colspan="4"| {{TOC tab|Android 2.0 Eclair (API level 5)}}
|-
! style="text-align:left;" colspan=4|On 26 October 2009, the Android 2.0 SDK – codenamed Eclair – was released, based on Linux kernel 2.6.29.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://developer.android.com/sdk/android-2.0.html |title=Android 2.0, Release 1 |publisher=Android Developers |accessdate=27 October 2009 |archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20091028223443/http://developer.android.com/sdk/android-2.0.html |archivedate=28 October 2009 <!--DASHBot-->|deadurl=no}}</ref> Changes included:<ref name="eclair-highlights">{{cite web |url=http://developer.android.com/sdk/android-2.0-highlights.html |title=Android 2.0 Platform Highlights |publisher=Android Developers |accessdate=27 October 2009 |archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20091029032030/http://developer.android.com/sdk/android-2.0-highlights.html |archivedate=29 October 2009 <!--DASHBot-->|deadurl=no}}</ref>
|-
! style="background:#c8bcd6; width:5%; text-align:center;"|'''Version'''
! style="background:#c8bcd6; width:10%; text-align:center;"|{{nowrap|'''Release date'''}}
! style="background:#c8bcd6; width:70%; text-align:center;"|'''Features'''
! style="background:#c8bcd6; width:15%;"|'''Image(s)'''
|- valign="top"
| 2.0
| 26 October 2009
|
*Expanded Account sync, allowing users to add multiple accounts to a device for synchronization of email and contacts
*[[Microsoft Exchange Server|Microsoft Exchange]] email support, with combined inbox to browse email from multiple accounts in one page
*Bluetooth 2.1 support
*Ability to tap a Contacts photo and select to call, SMS, or email the person
*Ability to search all saved SMS and MMS messages, with delete oldest messages in a conversation automatically deleted when a defined limit is reached
*Numerous new camera features, including flash support, digital zoom, scene mode, white balance, color effect and macro focus
*Improved typing speed on virtual keyboard, with smarter dictionary that learns from word usage and includes contact names as suggestions
*Refreshed browser UI with bookmark thumbnails, double-tap zoom and support for [[HTML5]]
*Calendar agenda view enhanced, showing attending status for each invitee, and ability to invite new guests to events
*Optimized hardware speed and revamped UI
*Support for more screen sizes and resolutions, with better contrast ratio
*Improved [[Google Maps]] 3.1.2
*MotionEvent class enhanced to track multi-touch events<ref>{{cite web |title=Android 2.0 API Changes Summary |url=http://developer.android.com/sdk/android-2.0.html#api-changes |accessdate=6 March 2010 |archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20100124023755/http://developer.android.com/sdk/android-2.0.html |archivedate=24 January 2010 <!--DASHBot-->|deadurl=no}}</ref>
*Addition of live wallpapers, allowing the animation of home-screen background images to show movement
|
|}

{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" style="width:100%; font-size:90%;"
|-
! style="background:#a592bb; text-align:center;" colspan="4"| {{TOC tab|Android 2.0.1 Eclair (API level 6)}}
|-
! style="text-align:left;" colspan=4|
|-
! style="background:#a592bb; width:5%; text-align:center;"|'''Version'''
! style="background:#a592bb; width:10%; text-align:center;"|{{nowrap|'''Release date'''}}
! style="background:#a592bb; width:70%; text-align:center;"|'''Features'''
! style="background:#a592bb; width:15%;"|'''Image(s)'''
|- valign="top"
| 2.0.1
| 3 December 2009<ref name = "2.0.1 SDK">{{cite web |url= http://developer.android.com/sdk/android-2.0.1.html |title=Android 2.0.1, Release 1 SDK |publisher=Android Developers |accessdate=17 January 2010 |archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20100115003947/http://developer.android.com/sdk/android-2.0.1.html |archivedate=15 January 2010 <!--DASHBot-->|deadurl=no}}</ref>
|
* Minor API changes, bug fixes and framework behavioral changes
|
|}

{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" style="width:100%; font-size:90%;"
|-
! style="background:#8064a2; text-align:center;" colspan="4"| {{TOC tab|Android 2.1 Eclair (API level 7)}}
|-
! style="text-align:left;" colspan=4|
|-
! style="background:#8064a2; width:5%; text-align:center;"|'''Version'''
! style="background:#8064a2; width:10%; text-align:center;"|{{nowrap|'''Release date'''}}
! style="background:#8064a2; width:70%; text-align:center;"|'''Features'''
! style="background:#8064a2; width:15%;"|'''Image(s)'''
|- valign="top"
| 2.1
| 12 January 2010<ref name = "2.1 SDK">{{cite web |url= http://developer.android.com/sdk/android-2.1.html |title=Android 2.1, Release 1 |publisher=Android Developers |accessdate=17 January 2010 |archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20100115061739/http://developer.android.com/sdk/android-2.1.html |archivedate=15 January 2010 <!--DASHBot-->|deadurl=no}}</ref>
|
* Minor amendments to the API and bug fixes
|
|}

{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" style="width:100%; font-size:90%;"
|-
! style="background:#9bbd59; text-align:center;" colspan="4"| {{TOC tab|Android 2.2–2.2.3 Froyo (API level 8)}}
|-
! style="text-align:left;" colspan=4|On 20 May 2010, the SDK for Android 2.2 (Froyo, short for [[frozen yogurt]]) was released, based on Linux kernel 2.6.32.<ref name="froyo-dev-blog">{{cite web |url= http://android-developers.blogspot.com/2010/05/android-22-and-developers-goodies.html |publisher=Android Developers Blog |title=Android 2.2 and developers goodies |publisher=[[Google]] |accessdate=20 May 2010 |first=Xavier |last=Ducrohet |date=20 May 2010}}</ref>
|-
! style="background:#9bbd59; width:5%; text-align:center;"|'''Version'''
! style="background:#9bbd59; width:10%; text-align:center;"|{{nowrap|'''Release date'''}}
! style="background:#9bbd59; width:70%; text-align:center;"|'''Features'''
! style="background:#9bbd59; width:15%;"|'''Image(s)'''
|- valign="top"
| 2.2
| 20 May 2010
|
*Speed, memory, and performance optimizations<ref name="unofficial-froyo-features">{{cite web |url= http://www.androidpolice.com/2010/05/20/exclusive-unofficially-confirmed-froyo-features-post-day-1-of-google-io-google-io-blitz-coverage-day-1/ |title=Unofficially Confirmed Froyo Features, Post-Day-1 Of Google I/O |publisher=Android Police |accessdate=20 May 2010}}</ref>
*Additional application speed improvements, implemented through [[Just-in-time compilation|JIT compilation]]<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.androidpolice.com/2010/05/11/exclusive-androidpolice-coms-nexus-one-is-running-android-2-2-froyo-how-fast-is-it-compared-to-2-1-oh-only-about-450-faster/ |title=Nexus One Is Running Android 2.2 Froyo. How Fast Is It Compared To 2.1? Oh, Only About 450% Faster |publisher=Android Police |accessdate=13 May 2010}}</ref>
*Integration of [[Google Chrome|Chrome]]'s [[V8 (JavaScript engine)|V8 JavaScript engine]] into the Browser application
*Support for the [[Android Cloud to Device Messaging]] (C2DM) service, enabling [[Push technology|push notifications]]
*Improved Microsoft Exchange support, including security policies, auto-discovery, GAL look-up, calendar synchronization and remote wipe
*Improved application launcher with shortcuts to Phone and Browser applications
*USB tethering and [[Wi-Fi hotspot]] functionality<ref name="wired sorrel 2010">{{cite news |url= http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2010/05/android-22-froyo-features-usb-wi-fi-tethering/ |title=Android 2.2 ‘Froyo’ Features USB, Wi-Fi Tethering |work=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |date=13 May 2010 |accessdate=14 February 2013 |author=Sorrel, Charlie}}</ref>
*Option to disable data access over mobile network
*Updated Market application with batch and automatic update features<ref name="unofficial-froyo-features"/>
*Quick switching between multiple keyboard languages and their dictionaries

*Support for Bluetooth-enabled car and desk docks
*Support for numeric and alphanumeric passwords
*Support for file upload fields in the Browser application<ref>{{cite web |url= http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=2519#c112 |title=Browser support for file upload field is coming in Froyo |publisher=code.google.com |accessdate=13 May 2010}}</ref>
*The browser now shows all frames of animated GIFs instead of just the first frame only
*Support for installing applications to the expandable memory
*[[Adobe Flash]] support<ref>{{cite news |url = http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/04/27/googles-andy-rubin-on-everything-android/ |title=Google's Andy Rubin on Everything Android |work=New York Times |accessdate =20 May 2010 |first=Brad |last=Stone |date=27 April 2010 |archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20100430192951/http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/04/27/googles-andy-rubin-on-everything-android/? |archivedate=30 April 2010 <!--DASHBot-->|deadurl=no}}</ref>
*Support for high-[[Pixel density|PPI]] displays (up to 320 ppi), such as 4" 720p screens<ref name="multiple-screens">{{cite web |url=http://developer.android.com/guide/practices/screens_support.html#range |title=Supporting Multiple Screens: Range of screens supported |publisher=Android Developers |accessdate=8 February 2013}}</ref>
*Gallery allows users to view picture stacks using a zoom gesture
| rowspan=4 |
|-
| 2.2.1
| 18 January 2011
|
*Bug fixes, security updates and performance improvements
|-
| 2.2.2
| 22 January 2011
|
*Minor bug fixes, including SMS routing issues that affected the [[Nexus One]]<ref>{{cite news |last=Hollister |first=Sean |title=Nexus One gets tiny update to Android 2.2.2, fixes SMS routing issues |url= http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/22/nexus-one-gets-tiny-update-to-android-2-2-2-probably-fixes-sms/ |accessdate=17 November 2011 |publisher=Engadget |date=22 January 2011}}</ref>
|-
| 2.2.3
| 21 November 2011<ref>{{cite web |url=https://android.googlesource.com/platform/build/+/refs/tags/android-2.2.3_r1 |publisher=Google |accessdate=2 September 2013 |title=Android 2.2.3 source tag}}</ref>
|
*Two security patches
|}
{{anchor|Gingerbread}}
{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" style="width:100%; font-size:90%;"
|-
! style="background:#85a7d1; text-align:center;" colspan="4"| {{TOC tab|Android 2.3–2.3.2 Gingerbread{{Anchor|Gingerbread}} (API level 9)}}
|-
! style="text-align:left;" colspan=4|On 6 December 2010, the Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) SDK was released, based on Linux kernel 2.6.35.<ref name="gingerbread-highlights"/><ref name="gingerbread-dev-blog">{{cite web |url= http://android-developers.blogspot.com/2010/12/android-23-platform-and-updated-sdk.html |publisher=Android Developers Blog |title=Android 2.3 Platform and Updated SDK Tools |accessdate=7 December 2010 |first=Xavier |last=Ducrohet |date=6 December 2010 |archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20101227190245/http://android-developers.blogspot.com/2010/12/android-23-platform-and-updated-sdk.html |archivedate=27 December 2010 <!--DASHBot-->|deadurl=no}}</ref> Changes included:<ref name="gingerbread-highlights">{{cite web |date=6 December 2010 |url=http://developer.android.com/sdk/android-2.3-highlights.html |title=Android 2.3 Platform Highlights |publisher=Android Developers Blog |accessdate=7 December 2010 |archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20101210235053/http://developer.android.com/sdk/android-2.3-highlights.html |archivedate=10 December 2010 <!--DASHBot-->|deadurl=no}}</ref>
|-
! style="background:#85a7d1; width:5%; text-align:center;"|'''Version'''
! style="background:#85a7d1; width:10%; text-align:center;"|{{nowrap|'''Release date'''}}
! style="background:#85a7d1; width:70%; text-align:center;"|'''Features'''
! style="background:#85a7d1; width:15%;"|'''Image(s)'''
|- valign="top"
| 2.3
| 6 December 2010<ref name=gingerbread-dev-blog />
|
*Updated user interface design with increased simplicity and speed
*Support for extra-large screen sizes and resolutions ([[WXGA (graphics)|WXGA]] and higher)<ref name="multiple-screens"/>
*Native support for [[Session Initiation Protocol|SIP]] [[Voice over IP|VoIP]] internet telephony
*Faster, more intuitive text input in virtual keyboard, with improved accuracy, better suggested text and voice input mode
*Enhanced [[cut, copy, and paste|copy/paste]] functionality, allowing users to select a word by press-hold, copy, and paste
*Support for [[Near Field Communication]] (NFC), allowing the user to read an NFC tag embedded in a poster, sticker, or advertisement
*New audio effects such as reverb, equalization, headphone virtualization, and bass boost
*New [[Download Manager]], giving users easy access to any file downloaded from the browser, email, or another application
*Support for multiple cameras on the device, including a front-facing camera, if available
*Support for [[WebM]]/VP8 video playback, and [[Advanced Audio Coding|AAC]] audio encoding
*Improved [[power management]] with a more active role in managing applications that are keeping the device awake for too long
*Enhanced support for native code development
*Switched from [[YAFFS]] to [[ext4]] on newer devices<ref>{{Cite news |url= http://www.linuxfoundation.org/news-media/blogs/browse/2010/12/android-will-be-using-ext4-starting-gingerbread |title=Android will be using ext4 starting with Gingerbread |publisher=Linux Foundation |first=Theodore |last=Ts'o |date=12 December 2010 |accessdate=11 June 2011 |archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20110528064125/http://www.linuxfoundation.org/news-media/blogs/browse/2010/12/android-will-be-using-ext4-starting-gingerbread |archivedate=28 May 2011 <!--DASHBot-->|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://android-developers.blogspot.com/2010/12/saving-data-safely.html |title=Saving Data Safely |author=Tim Bray |publisher=Android Developers Blog |date=19 December 2010 |accessdate=11 June 2011}}</ref>
*Audio, graphical, and input enhancements for game developers
*Concurrent [[Garbage collection (computer science)|garbage collection]] for increased performance
*Native support for more sensors (such as [[gyroscope]]s and [[barometer]]s)
| rowspan=3 |[[File:Android screenshot.png|180px]] <br>Android 2.3 on the Android SDK Emulator
|-
| 2.3.1
| December 2010
| rowspan = 2 |
* Improvements and bug fixes for the Google Nexus S

|-
| 2.3.2
| January 2011

|}

{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" style="width:100%; font-size:90%;"
|-
! style="background:#4f81bd; text-align:center;" colspan="4"| {{TOC tab|Android 2.3.3–2.3.7 Gingerbread (API level 10)}}
|-
! style="text-align:left;" colspan=4|
|-
! style="background:#4f81bd; width:5%; text-align:center;"|'''Version'''
! style="background:#4f81bd; width:10%; text-align:center;"|{{nowrap|'''Release date'''}}
! style="background:#4f81bd; width:70%; text-align:center;"|'''Features'''
! style="background:#4f81bd; width:15%;"|'''Image(s)'''
|- valign="top"
| 2.3.3
| 9 February 2011
|
* Several improvements and API fixes<ref>{{cite web |url=http://developer.android.com/sdk/android-2.3.3.html |title=Android 2.3.3 Platform |publisher=Android Developers|year=2011|accessdate=19 November 2012}}</ref>
| rowspan=5 |
|-
| 2.3.4
| 28 April 2011<ref>{{cite web |url=https://android.googlesource.com/platform/system/core/+/android-2.3.4_r1 |publisher=Google |accessdate=2 September 2013 |title=Android 2.3.4 source tag}}</ref>
|
* Support for voice or video chat using [[Google Talk]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://googlemobile.blogspot.com/2011/04/video-chat-on-your-android-phone.html |title=Video Chat on Your Android Phone |date=28 April 2011 |publisher=Google Mobile Blog|accessdate=18 April 2013}}</ref>
* Open Accessory Library support. Open Accessory was introduced in 3.1 (Honeycomb) but the Open Accessory Library grants 2.3.4 added support when connecting to a USB peripheral with compatible software and a compatible application on the device<ref>{{cite web|title=Open Accessory Library 2.3.4|url=http://developer.android.com/about/versions/android-2.3.4.html|publisher=Android Developers|accessdate=3 August 2012}}</ref>
* Switched the default encryption for SSL from AES256-SHA to RC4-MD5.<ref>{{cite web
| last = Sarkar | first = Abhijoy
| url = http://www.muktware.com/2013/10/java-weakened-androids-ssl-security-nsa-may-picture/15033
| title = Is it Java that weakened Android’s SSL security?
| publisher = Muktware
| date = 14 October 2013 | accessdate = 2 November 2013
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
| url = http://op-co.de/blog/posts/android_ssl_downgrade/
| title = Why Android SSL was downgraded from AES256-SHA to RC4-MD5 in late 2010
| date = 15 October 2013 | accessdate = 2 November 2013
| publisher = op-co.de
}}</ref>
|-
| 2.3.5
| 25 July 2011<ref>{{cite news |last=Arghire |first=Ionut |title=Android 2.3.5 Arrives on Galaxy S in the UK |url=http://news.softpedia.com/news/Android-2-3-5-Arrives-on-Galaxy-S-in-the-UK-235644.shtml |publisher=Softpedia.com |accessdate=1 December 2011}}</ref>
|
*Improved network performance for the [[Nexus S]] 4G, among other fixes and improvements
*Fixed Bluetooth bug on [[Samsung Galaxy S]]
*Improved Gmail application
*Shadow animations for list scrolling
*Camera software enhancements
*Improved battery efficiency

|-
| 2.3.6
| 2 September 2011
|
* 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.)<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.addictivetips.com/mobile/android-2-3-6-gingerbread-update-for-nexus-s-available-wi-fi-and-tethering-fix/ |title=Android 2.3.6 Gingerbread Update For Nexus S Available (Wi-Fi And Tethering Fix) |publisher=Addictive Tips |date=28 September 2011 |accessdate=20 December 2011 |author=Ali Waqas}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://pocketnow.com/android/google-samsung-nexus-s-gets-android-236-update |title=Google Samsung Nexus S Gets Android 2.3.6 Update |publisher=PocketNow |date=27 September 2011 |accessdate=20 December 2011 |author=Anton D. Nagy}}</ref>

|-
| 2.3.7
| 21 September 2011
|
* [[Google Wallet]] support for the Nexus S 4G
|}
{{anchor|Honeycomb}}
{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" style="width:100%; font-size:90%;"
|-
! style="background:#e8c4a6; text-align:center;" colspan="4"| {{TOC tab|Android 3.0 Honeycomb (API level 11)}}
|-
! style="text-align:left;" colspan=4|On 22 February 2011, the Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) SDK – the first [[tablet computer|tablet]]-only Android update – was released, based on Linux kernel 2.6.36.<ref name="honeycomb-highlights"/><ref name="honeycomb-sneak-peek">{{cite web |url=http://googlemobile.blogspot.com/2011/01/sneak-peak-of-android-30-honeycomb.html |title=A Sneak Peek of Android 3.0, Honeycomb |first=Andy |last=Rubin |publisher=Google Mobile Blog |date=5 January 2011 |accessdate=5 January 2011 |archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20110108061358/http://googlemobile.blogspot.com/2011/01/sneak-peak-of-android-30-honeycomb.html |archivedate=8 January 2011 <!--DASHBot-->|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://android-developers.blogspot.com/2011/02/final-android-30-platform-and-updated.html |title=Final Android 3.0 Platform and Updated SDK Tools |author=Xavier Ducrohet |publisher=Android Developers Blog |date=22 February 2011 |accessdate=23 February 2011 |archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20110305143408/http://android-developers.blogspot.com/2011/02/final-android-30-platform-and-updated.html |archivedate=5 March 2011 <!--DASHBot-->|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.anandtech.com/show/4150/googles-android-event-analysis/2 |title=Google's Android Event Analysis |author=Mithun Chandrasekhar |publisher=AnandTech |date=2 February 2011 |accessdate=5 February 2011 |quote=I confirmed this with Google; Honeycomb, at least in the current form, will not be coming to non-tablet devices.}}</ref> The first device featuring this version, the [[Motorola Xoom]] tablet, was released on 24 February 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/26/motorola-atrix-4g-and-xoom-tablet-launching-at-the-end-of-februa/ |title=Motorola Atrix 4G and Xoom tablet launching at the end of February, Droid Bionic and LTE Xoom in Q2 |author=Nilay Patel |publisher=Engadget |date=26 January 2011 |accessdate=5 February 2011}}</ref> The update's features included:<ref name="honeycomb-highlights">{{cite web |url=http://developer.android.com/sdk/android-3.0-highlights.html |title=Android 3.0 Platform Highlights |publisher=Android Developers |accessdate=23 February 2011 |archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20110216200154/http://developer.android.com/sdk/android-3.0-highlights.html |archivedate=16 February 2011 <!--DASHBot-->|deadurl=no}}</ref>
|-
! style="background:#e8c4a6; width:5%; text-align:center;"|'''Version'''
! style="background:#e8c4a6; width:10%; text-align:center;"|{{nowrap|'''Release date'''}}
! style="background:#e8c4a6; width:70%; text-align:center;"|'''Features'''
! style="background:#e8c4a6; width:15%;"|'''Image(s)'''
|- valign="top"
| 3.0
| 22 February 2011
|
*Optimized tablet support with a new “holographic” user interface
*Added System Bar, featuring quick access to notifications, status, and soft navigation buttons, available at the bottom of the screen
*Added Action Bar, giving access to contextual options, navigation, widgets, or other types of content at the top of the screen
*Simplified multitasking – tapping Recent Applications in the System Bar allows users to see snapshots of the tasks underway and quickly jump from one application to another
*Redesigned keyboard, making typing fast, efficient and accurate on larger screen sizes
*Simplified, more intuitive copy/paste interface
*Multiple browser tabs replacing browser windows, plus form auto-fill and a new “incognito” mode allowing anonymous browsing
*Quick access to camera exposure, focus, flash, zoom, front-facing camera, time-lapse, and other camera features
*Ability to view albums and other collections in full-screen mode in Gallery, with easy access to thumbnails for other photos
*New two-pane Contacts UI and Fast Scroll to let users easily organize and locate contacts
*New two-pane Email UI to make viewing and organizing messages more efficient, allowing users to select one or more messages
*Support for video chat using [[Google Talk]]
*Hardware acceleration
*Support for [[multi-core processor]]s
*Ability to encrypt all user data
*HTTPS stack improved with [[Server Name Indication]] (SNI)
*[[Filesystem in Userspace]] (FUSE; kernel module)
| [[File:Android3.0.png|300px]] <br>Android 3.0 on the [[Motorola Xoom]] tablet
|}

{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" style="width:100%; font-size:90%;"
|-
! style="background:#daa070; text-align:center;" colspan="4"| {{TOC tab|Android 3.1 Honeycomb (API level 12)}}
|-
! style="text-align:left;" colspan=4|
|-
! style="background:#daa070; width:5%; text-align:center;"|'''Version'''
! style="background:#daa070; width:10%; text-align:center;"|{{nowrap|'''Release date'''}}
! style="background:#daa070; width:70%; text-align:center;"|'''Features'''
! style="background:#daa070; width:15%;"|'''Image(s)'''
|- valign="top"
| 3.1
| 10 May 2011<ref>{{cite web |url=http://android-developers.blogspot.com/2011/05/android-31-platform-new-sdk-tools.html |title=Android 3.1 Platform, New SDK tools |date=10 May 2011 |first=Xavier |last=Ducrohet |publisher=Android Developers Blog |accessdate=10 May 2011 |archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20110511072447/http://android-developers.blogspot.com/2011/05/android-31-platform-new-sdk-tools.html |archivedate=11 May 2011 <!--DASHBot-->|deadurl=no}}</ref>
|
*UI refinements
*Connectivity for USB accessories
*Expanded Recent Applications list
*Resizable Home screen widgets
*Support for external keyboards and pointing devices
*Support for joysticks and gamepads
*Support for [[Free Lossless Audio Codec|FLAC]] audio playback<ref name="Android-Media-Formats">{{cite web |url=http://developer.android.com/guide/appendix/media-formats.html |title=Android Supported Media Formats |publisher=Android Developers |accessdate=30 March 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=1461
|title=Issue 1461 – Android – FLAC file support enhancement request. |publisher=Code.google.com |accessdate=5 August 2011}}</ref>
*High-performance Wi-Fi lock, maintaining high-performance Wi-Fi connections when device screen is off
*Support for HTTP proxy for each connected Wi-Fi access point
|
|}

{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" style="width:100%; font-size:90%;"
|-
! style="background:#cc7b38; text-align:center;" colspan="4"| {{TOC tab|Android 3.2 Honeycomb (API level 13)}}
|-
! style="text-align:left;" colspan=4|Most first- and second-generation [[Google TV]]-enabled devices utilize Honeycomb 3.2.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gigaom.com/2012/02/02/google-tv-honeycomb-32/|title=Google TV goes Android 3.2, next up Ice Cream Sandwich|publisher=GigaOM|date=2 February 2012|accessdate=6 February 2013}}</ref>
|-
! style="background:#cc7b38; width:5%; text-align:center;"|'''Version'''
! style="background:#cc7b38; width:10%; text-align:center;"|{{nowrap|'''Release date'''}}
! style="background:#cc7b38; width:70%; text-align:center;"|'''Features'''
! style="background:#cc7b38; width:15%;"|'''Image(s)'''
|- valign="top"
| 3.2
| 15 July 2011<ref>{{cite web |url=http://android-developers.blogspot.com/2011/07/android-32-platform-and-updated-sdk.html |title=Android 3.2 Platform and Updated SDK tools |date=15 July 2011 |first=Xavier |last=Ducrohet |publisher=Android Developers Blog |accessdate=16 July 2011}}</ref>
|
* Improved hardware support, including optimizations for a wider range of tablets
* Increased ability of applications to access files on the SD card, e.g. for synchronization
* Compatibility display mode for applications that have not been optimized for tablet screen resolutions
* New display support functions, giving developers more control over display appearance on different Android devices<ref>{{cite web |title=Supporting Multiple Screens: Declaring Tablet Layouts for Android 3.2 |publisher=Android Developers |year=2012 |url=http://developer.android.com/guide/practices/screens_support.html#DeclaringTabletLayouts |accessdate=18 February 2013}}</ref>
| rowspan=7 |
|-
| 3.2.1
| 20 September 2011
|
* Bug fixes and minor security, stability and Wi-Fi improvements
* Update to [[Android Market]] with automatic updates and easier-to-read Terms and Conditions text
* Update to [[Google Books]]
* Improved [[Adobe Flash]] support in browser
* Improved [[Chinese language|Chinese]] handwriting prediction
|-
| 3.2.2
| 30 August 2011
|
* Bug fixes and other minor improvements for the Motorola Xoom 4G
|-
| 3.2.3
|
|
* Bug fixes and other minor improvements for the Motorola Xoom and Motorola Xoom 4G
|-
| 3.2.4
| December 2011
|
*"Pay as You Go" support for 3G and 4G tablets
|-
| 3.2.5
| January 2012
|
* Bug fixes and other minor improvements for the Motorola Xoom and Motorola Xoom 4G
|-
| 3.2.6
| February 2012
|
* Fixed data connectivity issues when coming out of airplane mode on the US 4G Motorola Xoom
|}
{{anchor|Ice-Cream-Sandwich}}
{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" style="width:100%; font-size:90%;"
|-
! style="background:#c56f6d; text-align:center;" colspan="4"| {{TOC tab|Android 4.0–4.0.2 Ice Cream Sandwich (API level 14)}}
|-
! style="text-align:left;" colspan=4|The SDK for Android 4.0.1 (Ice Cream Sandwich), based on Linux kernel 3.0.1,<ref>{{cite web |last=Maroger |title=Ice Cream Sandwich Runs on Linux Kernel 3.0.1 |url= http://fineoils.blogspot.com/2011/10/ice-cream-sandwich-runs-on-linux-kernel.html#!/2011/10/ice-cream-sandwich-runs-on-linux-kernel.html |publisher=Blogspot – Fine Oils |accessdate=19 October 2011 |accessdate=24 July 2013}}</ref> was publicly released on 19 October 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://socialbarrel.com/android-4-0-ice-cream-sandwich-sdk-now-available/24093/ |title=Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich SDK Now Available |publisher=Social Barrel |first=Francis |last=Rey |date=19 October 2011 |accessdate=24 July 2013}}</ref> Google's Gabe Cohen stated that Android 4.0 was "theoretically compatible" with any Android 2.3.x device in production at that time.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/19/google-confirms-nexus-s-will-get-ice-cream-sandwich-for-real/ |title=Google confirms Nexus S will get Ice Cream Sandwich – for real this time (Gingerbread devices, too) |publisher=Engadget |first=Tim |last=Stevens |date=19 October 2011 |accessdate=24 July 2013}}</ref> The [[source code]] for Android 4.0 became available on 14 November 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.androidguys.com/2011/11/15/ice-cream-sandwich-source-code-released-custom-roms-inevitable/ |title=Ice Cream Sandwich source code released, custom ROMs inevitable |publisher=AndroidGuys |first=Vincent |last=Messina |date=15 November 2011 |accessdate=24 July 2013}}</ref> Ice Cream Sandwich was the last version to officially support [[Adobe Systems]]' [[Flash player#Mobile platforms|Flash player]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.webpronews.com/today-is-the-last-day-to-get-flash-for-android-2012-08 |title=Today Is The Last Day To Get Flash For Android |publisher=WebProNews |date=14 August 2012 |accessdate=7 February 2013}}</ref> The update introduced numerous new features:<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/18/android-4-0-ice-cream-sandwich-now-official/ |title=Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich now official, includes revamped design, enhancements galore |publisher=Engadget |first=Brad |last=Molen |date=19 October 2011 |accessdate=19 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-19736_7-20122331-251/ice-cream-sandwich-adds-tons-of-new-features/?tag=mncol;txt |title=Ice Cream Sandwich adds tons of new features |publisher=CNET |first=Kent |last=German |date=18 October 2011 |accessdate=24 July 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://techcrunch.com/2011/10/18/a-quick-ice-cream-sandwich-feature-rundown/ |title=A Quick Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich Feature Rundown |publisher=Tech Crunch |first=Chris |last=Velazco |date=18 October 2011 |accessdate=24 July 2013}}</ref>
|-
! style="background:#c56f6d; width:5%; text-align:center;"|'''Version'''
! style="background:#c56f6d; width:10%; text-align:center;"|{{nowrap|'''Release date'''}}
! style="background:#c56f6d; width:70%; text-align:center;"|'''Features'''
! style="background:#c56f6d; width:15%;"|'''Image(s)'''
|- valign="top"
| 4.0
| 19 October 2011
|
*Major refinements to the "Holo" interface with new [[Roboto]] font family
*Soft buttons from Android 3.x are now available for use on phones
*Separation of widgets in a new tab, listed in a similar manner to applications
*Easier-to-create folders, with a drag-and-drop style
*A customizable launcher
*Improved visual voicemail with the ability to speed up or slow down voicemail messages
*Pinch-to-zoom functionality in the calendar
*Integrated screenshot capture (accomplished by holding down the Power and Volume-Down buttons)
*Improved error correction on the keyboard
*Ability to access applications directly from [[lock screen]]
*Improved copy and paste functionality
*Better voice integration and continuous, real-time speech to text dictation
*Face Unlock, a feature that allows users to unlock handsets using facial recognition software
*Automatic syncing of browser with users' Chrome bookmarks
*Data Usage section in settings that lets users set warnings when they approach a certain usage limit, and disable data use when the limit is exceeded
*Ability to shut down applications that are using data in the background
*Improved camera application with zero shutter lag, time lapse settings, panorama mode, and the ability to zoom while recording
*Built-in photo editor
*New gallery layout, organized by location and person
*Refreshed "People" application with social network integration, status updates and hi-res images
*Android Beam, a [[near-field communication]] feature allowing the rapid short-range exchange of web bookmarks, contact info, directions, YouTube videos and other data
*Support for the [[WebP]] image format<ref name="Android-Media-Formats" />
*Hardware acceleration of the UI<ref>{{cite web |url=http://phandroid.com/2011/10/19/android-4-0-ice-cream-sandwich-has-hardware-acceleration/ |title=Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich has Hardware Acceleration |publisher=Phandroid |first=Quentyn |last=Kennemer |date=19 October 2011 |accessdate=19 October 2011}}</ref>
*[[Wi-Fi Direct]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://developer.android.com/guide/topics/connectivity/wifip2p.html|title=Wi-Fi Direct|publisher=Android Developers|accessdate=27 July 2013}}</ref>
*[[1080p]] video recording for stock Android devices
*Android VPN Framework (AVF), and TUN (but not TAP) kernel module. Prior to 4.0, VPN software required rooted Android.
| rowspan=3 |[[File:Android 4.0.png|180px]] <br>Android 4.0 on the Samsung [[Galaxy Nexus]]
|-
| 4.0.1
| 21 October 2011
|
* Fixed minor bugs for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus.
|-
| 4.0.2
| 28 November 2011
|
* Fixed minor bugs on the Verizon Galaxy Nexus, the US launch of which was later delayed until December 2011
(For Canadian consumers, 4.0.2 reportedly created a bug on the Galaxy Nexus that crashed the application market when users attempted to view details of any Android application. It also inadvertently reduced the [[Near Field Communication|NFC]] capabilities of the Nexus phone.)<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.droid-life.com/2011/11/28/verizons-4g-lte-galaxy-nexus-still-in-testing-receives-android-4-0-2-update/ |title=Verizon’s 4G LTE Galaxy Nexus Gets Pictured, Receives Android 4.0.2 Update |publisher=DroidLife |date=28 November 2011 |accessdate=8 December 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.droid-life.com/2011/12/15/within-2-hours-of-activation-your-galaxy-nexus-will-receive-an-update-here-are-the-details/ |title=Within 2 Hours of Activation, Your Galaxy Nexus Will Receive an Update |publisher=DroidLife |date=15 December 2011 |accessdate=15 December 2011}}</ref>
|}

{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" style="width:100%; font-size:90%;"
|-
! style="background:#9e413e; text-align:center;" colspan="4"| {{TOC tab|Android 4.0.3–4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich (API level 15)}}
|-
! style="text-align:left;" colspan=4|
|-
! style="background:#9e413e; width:5%; text-align:center;"|'''Version'''
! style="background:#9e413e; width:10%; text-align:center;"|{{nowrap|'''Release date'''}}
! style="background:#9e413e; width:70%; text-align:center;"|'''Features'''
! style="background:#9e413e; width:15%;"|'''Image(s)'''
|- valign="top"
| 4.0.3
| 16 December 2011<ref name=ICS16Dec2011>[http://android-developers.blogspot.com/2011/12/android-403-platform-and-updated-sdk.html "Android 4.0.3 Platform and Updated SDK tools"]. Android Developers Blog. 16 December 2011. Retrieved 4 January 2012.</ref>
|
* Numerous bug fixes and optimizations
* Improvements to graphics, databases, spell-checking and Bluetooth functionality
* New APIs for developers, including a social stream API in the Contacts provider
* Calendar provider enhancements
* New camera applications enhancing video stabilization and [[Quarter Video Graphics Array|QVGA]] resolution
* Accessibility refinements such as improved content access for screen readers<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/16/android-4-0-3-announced-brings-variety-of-optimizations-and-bu/ |title=Android 4.0.3 announced, bringing 'variety of optimizations and bug fixes' to phones and tablets |publisher=Engadget |date=16 December 2011 |accessdate=17 December 2011}}</ref>
| rowspan=2 |
|-
| 4.0.4
| 29 March 2012<ref name=InqMar2012>[http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/2164732/google-announces-android-404-gsm-nexus-galaxy-nexus-phones "Google announces Android 4.0.4"]. ''[[The Inquirer]]''. 29 March 2012. Retrieved 31 March 2012.</ref>
|
* Stability improvements
* Better camera performance
* Smoother screen rotation
* Improved phone number recognition<ref name=ICS29mar2012>[https://plus.google.com/u/0/104629412415657030658/posts/NgGwavbmkQ7 Google announces 4.0.4 on Google+]. 28 March 2012. Retrieved 31 March 2012.</ref>
|}
{{anchor|Jelly-Bean}}
{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" style="width:100%; font-size:90%;"
|-
! style="background:#11ef9a; text-align:center;" colspan="4"| {{TOC tab|Android 4.1 Jelly Bean (API level 16)}}
|-
! style="text-align:left;" colspan=4|Google announced Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) at the [[Google I/O]] conference on 27 June 2012. 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. The performance improvement involved "Project Butter", which uses touch anticipation, [[Multiple buffering|triple buffering]], extended [[vsync]] timing and a fixed frame rate of 60 [[frames per second|fps]] to create a fluid and "buttery-smooth" UI.<ref name="Android-4.1-devs" /> Android 4.1 Jelly Bean was released to the [[AOSP#Android Open Source Project|Android Open Source Project]] on 9 July 2012,<ref>{{cite web|last=Queru|first=Jean-Baptiste|title=Android 4.1 in AOSP|url=https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/android-building/XBYeD-bhk1o|accessdate=12 July 2012}}</ref> and the [[Nexus 7]] tablet, the first device to run Jelly Bean, was released on 13 July 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.gsmarena.com/nexus-7-gets-android-4-1-1-update-adds-support-for-google-wallet/ |title=Android 4.1.1 Nexus 7 Update|publisher=GSMArena.com|date=11 July 2012|accessdate=26 February 2013}}</ref>
|-
! style="background:#11ef9a; width:5%; text-align:center;"|'''Version'''
! style="background:#11ef9a; width:10%; text-align:center;"|{{nowrap|'''Release date'''}}
! style="background:#11ef9a; width:70%; text-align:center;"|'''Features'''
! style="background:#11ef9a; width:15%;"|'''Image(s)'''
|- valign="top"
| 4.1
| 9 July 2012
|
*Smoother user interface:
**Vsync timing across all drawing and animation done by the Android framework, including application rendering, touch events, screen composition and display refresh
**Triple buffering in the graphics pipeline
*Enhanced [[accessibility]]
*Bi-directional text and other language support
*User-installable keyboard maps
*Expandable notifications
*Ability to turn off notifications on an application-specific basis
*Shortcuts and widgets can automatically be re-arranged or re-sized to allow new items to fit on home screens
*Bluetooth data transfer for Android Beam
*Offline voice dictation
*Tablets with smaller screens now use an expanded version of the interface layout and home screen used by phones.<ref name=android41-differentlayouts>{{cite news |title=Confirmed: Android 4.1 uses different layouts for different tablet sizes |url=http://blogs.computerworld.com/mobile-and-wireless/20653/android-41-tablet-layout |publisher=ComputerWorld |accessdate=8 July 2012}}</ref>
*Improved voice search
*Improved camera application
*Google Wallet (for the [[Nexus 7]])
*High-resolution [[Google+]] contact photos<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5E5revikUU
|title=Fast & Smooth – Android 4.1, Jelly Bean |publisher=Google via YouTube |date=27 June 2012 |accessdate=7 September 2012}}</ref>
*[[Google Now]] voice assistant and search application
*Multichannel audio<ref name="Android-4.1-devs">{{cite web |url=http://developer.android.com/about/versions/jelly-bean.html#media |title=Android 4.1 for Developers |publisher=Android Developers |accessdate=9 February 2013}}</ref>
*USB audio (for external sound [[Digital-to-analog converter|DACs]])<ref name="Android-4.1-devs" />
*Audio chaining (also known as [[gapless playback]])<ref name="Android-4.1-devs" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=3461
|title=Issue 3461: Implement Gapless Playback of consecutive audio files |publisher=code.google.com |accessdate=12 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.pocketables.com/2012/06/android-4-1-finally-adds-gapless-music-playback-to-stock-music-apps.html
|title=Android 4.1 finally adds gapless music playback to stock music apps |publisher=Pocketables.com |date=29 June 2012 |accessdate=30 June 2012}}</ref>
*Stock Android browser is replaced with the Android mobile version of [[Google Chrome]] in devices with Android 4.1 preinstalled<ref>[http://www.muktware.com/3779/chrome-out-beta-default-browser-android-41 "Chrome Out Of Beta, Default Browser Of Android 4.1"]. Muktware.com. 28 June 2012. Retrieved 15 September 2012.</ref>
*Ability for other launchers to add widgets from the application drawer without requiring root access
| rowspan=3 |
|- valign="top"
| 4.1.1
| 23 July 2012
|
*Fixed a bug on the Nexus 7 regarding the inability to change screen orientation in any application
|-
| 4.1.2
| 9 October 2012<ref name="Jelly Bean 4.1.2">[http://www.theverge.com/2012/10/9/3479662/android-4-1-2-coming-to-nexus-7 "Android 4.1.2 rolling out for Nexus 7"]. ''[[The Verge (website)|The Verge]]''. 9 October 2012. Retrieved 9 October 2012.</ref>
|
*Lock/home screen rotation support for the Nexus 7<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gigaom.com/mobile/android-4-1-2-brings-home-screen-rotation-to-devices/ |title=Android 4.1.2 brings homescreen rotation to devices |publisher=GigaOM |date=9 October 2012 |accessdate=9 October 2012}}</ref>
*One-finger gestures to expand/collapse notifications<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.androidpolice.com/2012/10/09/new-in-android-4-1-2-expandingcollapsing-notifications-with-one-finger-video/ |title=New Feature In Android 4.1.2: Expanding/Collapsing Notifications With One Finger (Video) |publisher=Android Police |date=9 October 2012 |accessdate=9 October 2012}}</ref>
*Bug fixes and performance enhancements
|}

{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" style="width:100%; font-size:90%;"
|-
! style="background:#0dc57f; text-align:center;" colspan="4"| {{TOC tab|Android 4.2 Jelly Bean (API level 17)}}{{anchor|Jelly-Bean-42}}
|-
! style="text-align:left;" colspan=4|Google was expected to announce Jelly Bean 4.2 at an event in [[New York City]] on 29 October 2012, but the event was cancelled due to [[Hurricane Sandy]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.androidcentral.com/monday-s-google-event-nyc-cancelled-due-hurricane-sandy |title=Monday's Google event in NYC canceled due to Hurricane Sandy|publisher=Android Central |date=27 October 2012|accessdate=19 February 2014}}</ref> Instead of rescheduling the live event, Google announced the new version with a press release, under the slogan "A new flavor of Jelly Bean". Jelly Bean 4.2 was based on Linux kernel 3.4.0, and debuted on Google's [[Nexus 4]] and [[Nexus 10]], which were released on 13 November 2012.<ref name=New4.2And>{{cite web |url=http://www.knowyourmobile.com/blog/1678521/android_42_jelly_bean_lands_on_nexus_7.html |title=Android 4.2 Jelly Bean lands on Nexus 7 |publisher=Know Your Mobile |date=14 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2012/11/14/google-releases-nexus-4-nexus-10-and-android-42 |title=Google Releases Nexus 4, Nexus 10 and Android 4.2 |publisher=IGN |date=13 November 2012 |accessdate=16 November 2012}}</ref>

|-
! style="background:#0dc57f; width:5%; text-align:center;"|'''Version'''
! style="background:#0dc57f; width:10%; text-align:center;"|{{nowrap|'''Release date'''}}
! style="background:#0dc57f; width:70%; text-align:center;"|'''Features'''
! style="background:#0dc57f; width:15%;"|'''Image(s)'''
|- valign="top"
| 4.2
| 13 November 2012<ref name="Jelly Bean 4.2">[http://www.theverge.com/2012/10/29/3569244/android-4-2-new-features-miracast-gesture-keyboard-multiple-users-photo-sphere "Android 4.2 adds gestue typing, wireless TV display, multiple user support on tablets, and more"]. ''[[The Verge (website)|The Verge]]''. 29 October 2012. Retrieved 29 October 2012.</ref>
|
*[[Lock screen]] improvements, including widget support and the ability to swipe directly to camera<ref>[http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/android-4-2-jelly-bean-brings-all-new-photography-powers-1108294 "Android 4.2 Jelly Bean brings all-new photography powers"]. TechRadar.com. 29 October 2012. Retrieved 12 November 2012.</ref>
*Notification power controls ("Quick Settings")
*"Daydream" [[screensaver]]s, showing information when idle or docked
*Multiple user accounts (tablets only)
*Support for wireless display ([[Miracast]])
*Accessibility improvements: triple-tap to magnify the entire screen, pan and zoom with two fingers. Speech output and Gesture Mode navigation for blind users
*New clock application with built-in world clock, stop watch and timer
*All devices now use the same interface layout, previously adapted from phones on 4.1 for smaller tablets (with centered software buttons, the system bar at the top of the screen, and a home screen with a dock and centered application menu), regardless of screen size
*Increased number of extended notifications and Actionable Notifications for more applications, allowing users to respond to certain notifications within the notification bar and without launching the application directly
* [[SELinux]]
* Always-on [[VPN]]
* Premium [[SMS]] confirmation<ref name="Android Police 4.2 Alpha Teardown">[http://www.androidpolice.com/2012/10/17/exclusive-android-4-2-alpha-teardown-part-2-selinux-vpn-lockdown-and-premium-sms-confirmation/ "Exclusive Android 4.2 Alpha Teardown, Part 2: SELinux, VPN Lockdown, And Premium SMS Confirmation"]. Android Police. 17 October 2012. Retrieved 12 November 2012.</ref>
* Group Messaging
| rowspan=3 |[[File:Android 4.2 on the Nexus 4.png|180px]]<br>Android 4.2 on the [[Nexus 4]]
|-
| 4.2.1
| 27 November 2012<ref name="Jelly Bean 4.2.1">[http://www.androidpolice.com/2012/11/27/changelog-whats-new-in-android-4-2-1-jop40d/ "(Changelog) What's New In Android 4.2.1 (JOP40D)"]. Android Police. 27 November 2012. Retrieved 27 November 2012.</ref>
|
* Fixed a bug in the People application where December was not displayed on the date selector when adding an event to a contact<ref name="December bug">[http://www.androidpolice.com/2012/11/17/sorry-santa-google-cancels-december-in-android-4-2/ "Sorry, Santa – Google Cancels December In Android 4.2"]. Android Police. 17 November 2012. Retrieved 27 November 2012.</ref>
* Added Bluetooth gamepads and joysticks as supported [[Human interface device|HID]] (Human interface device)
|-
| 4.2.2
| 11 February 2013<ref name="Jelly Bean 4.2.2">[http://www.androidpolice.com/2013/02/11/breaking-android-4-2-2-build-jdq39-update-rolling-out-to-gsm-galaxy-nexus-nexus-7-nexus-10/ "Breaking: Android 4.2.2 (Build JDQ39) Update Rolling Out To GSM Galaxy Nexus, Nexus 7, Nexus 10"]. Android Police. 11 February 2013. Retrieved 12 February 2013.</ref>
|
* Fixed Bluetooth audio streaming bugs<ref>{{cite news |url= http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2013/02/android-4-2-2-brings-bluetooth-audio-fixes-to-nexus-phones-and-tablets/ |title=Android 4.2.2 brings Bluetooth audio fixes to Nexus phones and tablets |publisher=Ars Technica |date=12 February 2013 |accessdate=12 February 2013}}</ref>
* Long-pressing the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth icons in Quick Settings now toggles the on/off state
* New download notifications, which now shows the percentage and estimated time remaining for active application downloads
* New sounds for wireless charging and low battery
* New Gallery application animation allows faster loading
* USB debug whitelist
* Bug fixes and performance enhancements
|}

{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" style="width:100%; font-size:90%;"
|-
! style="background:#0A8F5C; text-align:center;" colspan="4"| {{TOC tab|Android 4.3 Jelly Bean (API level 18)}}{{anchor|Jelly-Bean-43}}
|-
! style="text-align:left;" colspan="4" |Google released Jelly Bean 4.3 under the slogan "An even sweeter Jelly Bean" on 24 July 2013 during an event in [[San Francisco]] called "Breakfast with [[Sundar Pichai]]". Most Nexus devices received the update within a week, although the [[Nexus 7 (2nd generation)|2nd generation Nexus 7]] tablet was the first device to officially ship with it.<ref name=TomsJuly2013>{{cite web |url=http://www.tomshardware.com/news/Android-4.3-Update-Roll-out-Release-Nexus,23671.html |title=Google Announces Android 4.3, Update Rolling Out Today |publisher=Tom's Hardware |date=24 July 2013 |accessdate=25 July 2013}}</ref> A minor bugfixing update was released on 22 August 2013.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/22/aosp-latest-4-3-fixes/ |title=Android Open Source Project now has latest 4.3 fixes for most Nexus hardware |publisher=[[Engadget]] |date=22 August 2013 |accessdate=22 August 2013}}</ref>
|-
! style="background:#0A8F5C; width:5%; text-align:center;"|'''Version'''
! style="background:#0A8F5C; width:10%; text-align:center;"|{{nowrap|'''Release date'''}}
! style="background:#0A8F5C; width:70%; text-align:center;"|'''Features'''
! style="background:#0A8F5C; width:15%;"|'''Image(s)'''
|- valign="top"
| 4.3
| 24 July 2013<ref name="Jelly Bean 4.3">[http://www.theverge.com/2013/7/24/4550234/android-4-3-announcement "Android 4.3 announced, rolling out to Nexus devices today"]. ''[[The Verge (website)|The Verge]]''. 24 July 2013. Retrieved 24 July 2013.</ref>
|
* [[Bluetooth low energy]] support.<ref name="OfficialAndroidBlog4.3">[http://officialandroid.blogspot.com/2013/07/introducing-android-43-sweeter-jelly.html Introducing Android 4.3, a sweeter Jelly Bean]. Official Android Blog. 24 July 2013. Retrieved 30 July 2013.</ref>
* [[AVRCP|Bluetooth Audio/Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP) 1.3]] support
* [[OpenGL ES#OpenGL ES 3.0|OpenGL ES 3.0]] support, allowing for improved game graphics<ref name="OfficialAndroidBlog4.3" />
* Restricted access mode for new user profiles<ref name="OfficialAndroidBlog4.3" />
* Filesystem write performance improvement by running [[Trim (computing)|fstrim]] command while device is idle<ref name="EngdtTRIM">[http://www.engadget.com/2013/07/30/android-4-3-supports-trim-improves-performance-on-nexus-devices/ "Android 4.3 supports TRIM, improves performance on Nexus devices"]. Engadget. 30 July 2013. Retrieved 30 July 2013.</ref>
* Dial pad auto-complete in the Phone application<ref name="OfficialAndroidBlog4.3" />
* Improvements to Photo Sphere<ref name="APPhotosphere">[http://www.androidpolice.com/2013/07/25/another-android-4-3-change-photo-spheres-look-a-lot-better-now/ "Another Android 4.3 Change: Photo Spheres Look A Lot Better Now"]. Android Police. 25 July 2013. Retrieved 28 July 2013.</ref>
* Reworked camera UI, previously introduced on Google Play edition phones<ref name="4.3Camera">[http://www.androidpolice.com/2013/05/24/android-4-3-and-updated-camera-ui-spotted-on-a-nexus-4-at-thailand-mobile-expo/ "Android 4.3 And Updated Camera UI Spotted On A Nexus 4 At Thailand Mobile Expo"]. Android Police. 24 May 2013. Retrieved 30 July 2013.</ref>
* Addition of "[[App Ops]]", a fine-grained application permissions control system (hidden by default)<ref name="AppOps">[http://www.androidpolice.com/2013/07/25/app-ops-android-4-3s-hidden-app-permission-manager-control-permissions-for-individual-apps/ "App Ops: Android 4.3's Hidden App Permission Manager, Control Permissions For Individual Apps!"]. Android Police. 25 July 2013. Retrieved 30 July 2013.</ref>
* [[4K resolution]] support<ref name="Engdt4K">[http://www.engadget.com/2013/07/26/android-4-3-source-reveals-support-for-4k-resolution/ "Android 4.3 source code reveals support for 4K resolution"]. Engadget. 26 July 2013. Retrieved 30 July 2013.</ref>
* Many security enhancements, performance enhancements, and bug fixes<ref name="AP4.3">[http://www.androidpolice.com/2013/07/24/a-n-in-depth-look-at-the-big-and-small-additions-to-android-jelly-bean-4-3/ "An In-Depth Look At The Big (And Small) Additions To Android Jelly Bean 4.3"]. Android Police. 24 July 2013. Retrieved 25 July 2013.</ref>
* System-level support for [[geo-fence|geofencing]] and Wi-Fi scanning APIs
** Background Wi-Fi location still runs even when Wi-Fi is turned off
* Developer logging and analyzing enhancements
* Added support for five more languages
* Improved [[digital rights management]] (DRM) APIs
* [[Right-to-left]] (RTL) languages now supported<ref name="OfficialAndroidBlog4.3" />
* Clock in the status bar disappears if clock is selected as lockscreen widget
| rowspan=2 | [[File:Android 4.3 on Nexus 7 (2013).jpg|180px]]<br>Android 4.3 on the [[Nexus 7 (2013 version)]].
|-
| 4.3.1
| 3 October 2013<ref name="Jelly Bean 4.3.1">[http://www.androidpolice.com/2013/10/03/suddenly-a-wild-android-4-3-1-appears-lte-nexus-7-receiving-android-4-3-1-ota-jls36i/ "Suddenly, A Wild Android 4.3.1 Appears - LTE Nexus 7 Receiving Android 4.3.1 OTA (JLS36I)"]. Android Police. 3 October 2013. Retrieved 4 October 2013.</ref>
|
* Bug fixes and small tweaks for the Nexus 7 LTE<ref name="4.3.1changelog">[http://www.androidpolice.com/2013/10/08/factory-image-and-binaries-are-now-available-for-the-nexus-7-lte-android-4-3-1-update-jls36i/ "Factory Image And Binaries Are Now Available For The Nexus 7 LTE Android 4.3.1 Update (JLS36I)"]. Android Police. 8 October 2013. Retrieved 9 October 2013.</ref>
|}
{{anchor|KitKat}}
{| class="wikitable collapsible" style="width:100%; font-size:90%;"
|-
! style="background:#ED5050; text-align:center;" colspan="4"| {{TOC tab|Android 4.4 KitKat (API level 19)}}
|-
! style="text-align:left;" colspan="4" |Google announced Android 4.4 [[Kit Kat|KitKat]], internally known as Project Svelte,<ref name="Nexus 5 review">{{cite news |last=Molen |first=Brad |title=Engadget review the Nexus 5 |url=http://www.engadget.com/2013/11/05/nexus-5-review/ |publisher=Engadget |date=5 November 2013|accessdate=11 November 2013}}</ref> on 3 September 2013.<ref name=KitkatBBC>{{cite news |last=Kelion |first=Leo |title=Android KitKat announced |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-23926938 |accessdate=3 September 2013 |publisher=BBC News |date=3 September 2013}}</ref> The release had long been expected by technology bloggers to be numbered 5.0 and called "[[Key Lime Pie]]".<ref>{{cite news |publisher=TechRadar |url= http://www.techradar.com/us/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/android-5-0-key-lime-pie-release-date-news-and-rumours-1091500 |title=Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie release date, news and rumors |date=2 July 2013 |accessdate=22 July 2013}}</ref> KitKat debuted on Google's [[Nexus 5]] on 31 October 2013, and has been optimised to run on a greater range of devices than earlier Android versions, having 512&nbsp;MB of RAM as a recommended minimum.<ref name="Nexus 5 review"/> The required minimum amount of RAM available to Android is 340&nbsp;MB, and all devices with less than 512&nbsp;MB of RAM must report themselves as "low RAM" devices.<ref name="cdd-4.4">{{cite book |title=Android Compatibility Definition Document |publisher=Google |publication-date=27 November 2013 |edition=4.4 |format=PDF |page=33 |section=7.6.1 |url=http://static.googleusercontent.com/media/source.android.com/en/us/compatibility/android-cdd.pdf }}</ref>
|-
! style="background:#ED5050; width:5%; text-align:center;"|'''Version'''
! style="background:#ED5050; width:10%; text-align:center;"|{{nowrap|'''Release date'''}}
! style="background:#ED5050; width:70%; text-align:center;"|'''Features'''
! style="background:#ED5050; width:15%;"|'''Image(s)'''
|- valign="top"
| 4.4
| 31 October 2013<ref name="Android 4.4 KitKat">[http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2013/10/android-for-all-and-new-nexus-5.html "Android for all and the new Nexus 5 "]. Google Official Blog. 31 October 2013. Retrieved 1 November 2013.</ref><ref name=androiddev-44>{{cite web |title=Android KitKat |url=http://developer.android.com/about/versions/kitkat.html |work=Android Developers Portal |accessdate=1 November 2013}}</ref>
|
* Refreshed interface with white elements instead of blue
* Ability for applications to trigger translucency in the navigation and status bars<ref name=verge-n5handson>{{cite news |title=Google's Nexus 5 with KitKat available today, starting at $349: hands-on impressions |url= http://www.theverge.com/2013/10/31/5049068/googles-nexus-5-with-android-kit-kat-available-today-starting-349 |work=The Verge |author=Bonn, Dieter|date=31 October 2013|accessdate=1 November 2013}}</ref>
* Ability for applications to use "immersive mode" to keep the navigation and status bars hidden while maintaining user interaction<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.androidpolice.com/2013/10/31/kitkat-feature-spotlight-apps-can-now-go-truly-full-screen-hide-the-navigation-bar/ |title=KitKat Feature Spotlight: Apps Can Now Go Truly Full-Screen, Hide The Navigation Bar |date=31 October 2013|accessdate=3 November 2013 |author=David Ruddock |publisher=androidpolice.com}}</ref>
* Action overflow menu buttons are always visible, even on devices with a hardware "Menu" key, which was officially deprecated by Android 4.0<ref name=phonearena-overflowgone>{{cite web|title=Android menu button now on by default on all device with KitKat|url=http://www.phonearena.com/news/Android-menu-button-now-on-by-default-on-all-device-with-KitKat_id50179|publisher=PhoneArena.com|date=9 December 2013|accessdate=9 February 2014}}</ref>
* Optimizations for performance on devices with lower specifications, including [[zram|zRAM]] support and "low RAM" device API<ref name="Nexus 5 review"/>
* Wireless printing capability<ref name="Nexus 5 review"/>
* NFC [[host card emulation]], enabling a device to replace [[smart card]]s<ref name="Nexus 5 review"/>
* WebViews now based on [[Chromium (web browser)|Chromium]] engine (feature parity with [[Google Chrome for Android|Chrome for Android]] 30)
* Expanded functionality for notification listener services<ref name="Nexus 5 review"/>
* Public API for developing and managing [[Short Message Service|text messaging]] clients<ref name=adb-kitkatsms>{{cite web |title=Getting Your SMS Apps Ready for KitKat |url=http://android-developers.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/getting-your-sms-apps-ready-for-kitkat.html |work=Android Developers Blog |accessdate=14 October 2013}}</ref>
* New framework for UI transitions
* Storage access framework for retrieving content and documents from other sources
* Sensor batching, step detector and counter APIs<ref name="Nexus 5 review"/>
* Settings application now makes it possible to select default text messaging and home (launcher) application
* Audio tunneling, audio monitoring and loudness enhancer<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.phonearena.com/news/Android-4.4-brings-support-for-low-power-audio-playback_id48948|title=Android 4.4 brings support for low-power audio playback|publisher=PhoneArena.com|date=31 October 2013|accessdate=25 February 2014}}</ref>
* Built-in screen recording feature (primarily for developers, as usage of [[Android Debug Bridge|ADB]] is required)<ref>{{Cite web
| url = http://howto.cnet.com/8301-11310_39-57610905-285/how-to-record-your-screen-on-android-4.4-kitkat/
| title = How to record your screen on Android 4.4 KitKat
| date = 5 November 2013 | accessdate = 4 January 2014
| author = Jason Cipriani | publisher = CBS Interactive | work=CNET
}}</ref>
* Native [[infrared blaster]] API
* Expanded accessibility APIs and system-level [[closed captioning]] settings
* New experimental runtime virtual machine, ART (not enabled by default)<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://source.android.com/devices/tech/dalvik/art.html
| title = Introducing ART
| accessdate = 2 November 2013
| publisher = android.com
}}</ref>
* [[Message Access Profile|Bluetooth Message Access Profile]] (MAP) support<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.androidpolice.com/2013/10/31/kitkat-feature-spotlight-android-finally-supports-bluetooth-map-will-make-bluetooth-integration-with-your-car-suck-a-lot-less/ |title=KitKat Feature Spotlight: Android Finally Supports Bluetooth MAP, Will Make Bluetooth Integration With Your Car Suck A Lot Less |date=31 October 2013|accessdate=2 November 2013 |publisher=Android Police}}</ref>
* Disabled access to battery statistics by third-party applications<ref>{{cite web|url=https://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=61975|title=Android Issue 61975: Undo removal of access to BATTERY_STATS permission for apps|publisher=Code.google.com|date=November 2013|accessdate=29 January 2014}}</ref>
* Settings application no longer uses a multi-pane layout on devices with larger screens
* Wi-Fi and mobile data activity (TX/RX) indicators are moved to quick settings<ref>{{cite web|url=https://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=61834|title=Android Issue 61834: 4.4 KitKat reception/Wifi indicators no longer show data rx/tx during operation|publisher=Code.google.com|date=November 2013|accessdate=20 February 2014}}</ref>
* Applications' access to secondary storage (memory cards on devices with internal primary storage) is restricted to their designated private directories only, while full access to internal primary storage is still allowed<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.androidpolice.com/2014/02/17/external-blues-google-has-brought-big-changes-to-sd-cards-in-kitkat-and-even-samsung-may-be-implementing-them/ |title=External Blues: Google Has Brought Big Changes To SD Cards In KitKat, And Even Samsung Is Implementing Them |date=17 February 2014 |accessdate=20 February 2014 |publisher=Android Police}}</ref>
| rowspan=3 |[[File:Android 4.4 with stock launcher.png|200px]]<br />Android 4.4 on the [[Nexus 4]]
|-
| 4.4.1
| 5 December 2013<ref>{{cite web
| url = https://plus.google.com/+Nexus/posts/YW8sTPpVN8W
| title = Android 4.4.1 Released to Nexus 5
| date = 5 December 2013 | accessdate = 5 December 2013
| author = Official Nexus Google+ page | publisher = Google Plus
}}</ref>
|
* Improvements to auto focus, white balance and HDR+ for the Nexus 5 camera<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.engadget.com/2013/12/05/android-update-focuses-on-improving-nexus-5-camera/ |title=Android update focuses on Nexus 5 camera improvements |date=5 December 2013 |accessdate=5 December 2013 |author=Christopher Trout |publisher=Engadget}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.theverge.com/2013/12/5/5175568/fixing-the-nexus-5-android-4-4-1-improves-camera |title=Fixing the Nexus 5: with a new version of Android, Google tackles the camera |date=5 December 2013 |accessdate=6 December 2013 |author=David Pierce |publisher=theverge.com}}</ref>
* Better application compatibility for the experimental ART runtime
* Camera application now loads Google+ Photos instead of Gallery when swiping away from the camera view
* Miscellaneous improvements and bug fixes
|-
| 4.4.2
| 9 December 2013<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.androidpolice.com/2013/12/09/android-4-4-2-kot49h-is-already-rolling-out-to-nexus-devices-here-are-the-ota-zip-links-for-manual-updating/ |title=Android 4.4.2 (KOT49H) Is Already Rolling Out To All Nexus Devices - Here Are The OTA ZIP Links For Manual Updating |date=9 December 2013 |accessdate=9 December 2013 |author=Artem Russakovskii |publisher=Android Police}}</ref>
|
* Further security enhancements and bug fixes
* Removal of the "[[App Ops]]" application permissions control system, introduced in Android 4.3<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2013/12/google-removes-vital-privacy-features-android-shortly-after-adding-them |title=Google Removes Vital Privacy Feature From Android, Claiming Its Release Was Accidental |date=12 December 2013 |accessdate=14 December 2013 |author=Peter Eckersley |publisher=Electronic Frontier Foundation}}</ref>
|-
|}
<!--

PLEASE DO NOT add a section on future versions of Android unless you have a reliable source (NOT rumor sites, speculative blogs or hoax pictures). Unless it's officially verified by Google or a major phone manufacturer, it will be removed.

-->


== {{anchor|HWREQ}}Hardware requirements ==
== {{anchor|HWREQ}}Hardware requirements ==

Revision as of 13:57, 14 March 2014

Global Android version distribution since December 2009. As of March 2014, Android 4.x Jelly Bean is the most widely used Android version, operating on around 62% of Android devices worldwide.

The version history of the Android mobile 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 under ongoing development by Google and the Open Handset Alliance (OHA), and has seen a number of updates to its base operating system since its initial release.

Since April 2009, Android versions have been developed under a confectionery-themed code name and released according to alphabetical order: Cupcake (1.5), Donut (1.6), Eclair (2.0–2.1), Froyo (2.2–2.2.3), Gingerbread (2.3–2.3.7), Honeycomb (3.0–3.2.6), Ice Cream Sandwich (4.0–4.0.4), Jelly Bean (4.1–4.3), and KitKat (4.4). On 3 September 2013, Google announced that 1 billion activated devices now use the Android OS worldwide.[1] The most recent major Android update was KitKat 4.4, which was released to commercial devices on 22 November 2013, via an OTA update.[2][3]

Pre-commercial release versions (2007–2008)

Android alpha

There were at least two internal releases inside Google and the OHA before the Android beta was released in November 2007. For the milestones in internal releases, names of fictional robots were chosen, with various releases code-named "Astro Boy", "Bender" and "R2-D2".[4][5][6] Dan Morrill created some of the first mascot logos, but the current green Android logo was designed by Irina Blok.[7] The project manager, Ryan Gibson, conceived of the confections naming scheme that has been used for the majority of the public releases, starting with Android 1.5.

Android beta

The Android beta was released on 5 November 2007,[8][9] while the software development kit (SDK) was released on 12 November 2007.[10] The 5 November date is popularly celebrated as Android's "birthday".[11] Public beta versions of the SDK were released in the following order:

  • 16 November 2007: m3-rc22a[12]
  • 14 December 2007: m3-rc37a[13]
  • 13 February 2008: m5-rc14[14]
  • 3 March 2008: m5-rc15[15]
  • 18 August 2008: 0.9[16]
  • 23 September 2008: 1.0-r1[17]

Hardware requirements

See also: Android: Hardware

The main hardware platform for Android is the 32-bit ARMv7 architecture. The Android-x86 project provides support for the x86 architecture,[18] and Google TV uses a special x86 version of Android. In 2012, Intel processors began to appear on more mainstream Android platforms, such as phones.[19] In 2013, Freescale announced support for Android on its i.MX processor, specifically the i.MX5X and i.MX6X series.[20]

Minimum hardware requirements have been upgraded in steps over time, with the new Android versions releases. Original minimums were 32 MB of RAM, 32 MB of Flash memory, and a 200 MHz ARM architecture (ARMv5) processor.[21][22] As of October 2011 and version 4.0, a graphics processing unit (GPU) that supports OpenGL ES 2.0 hardware acceleration is mandatory,[23] regardless of whether applications directly use the OpenGL ES or not.

As of November 2013 and Android version 4.4, an ARMv7 processor is required, while recommended minimum amount of RAM is 512 MB.[24] The required minimum amount of RAM available to Android 4.4 is 340 MB, and all devices with less than 512 MB of RAM must report themselves as "low RAM" devices.[25] MIPS and x86 architectures are also supported through unofficial ports.[18][26] OpenGL ES 2.0 hardware acceleration is still mandatory, while OpenGL ES 3.0 is supported.[23]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Android device activation numbers reach 1 billion worldwide". Phandroid.com. 3 September 2013. Retrieved 2 November 2013.
  2. ^ "Android 4.3 and Updated Developer Tools". android-developers.blogspot.in. Blogspot. 24 July 2013. Retrieved 25 July 2013.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference TomsJuly2013 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ "A History of Pre-Cupcake Android Codenames". Android Police. 17 September 2012. Retrieved 20 October 2013.
  5. ^ "Dianne Hackborn". Google+. 17 September 2012. Retrieved 8 April 2013.
  6. ^ "Dan Morrill". Google+. 2 January 2013. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
  7. ^ Breeze, Mez. "The designer behind the logo". TheNextWeb.com. TNW. Retrieved 14 August 2013.
  8. ^ "Google Launches Android, an Open Mobile Platform". Google Operating System. 5 November 2007.
  9. ^ "Live Google's gPhone Open handset alliance conference call" (transcript). Gizmodo. 5 November 2007. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
  10. ^ "Google releases Android SDK". Macworld. 12 November 2007. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
  11. ^ "Android's 5th Birthday Celebration: European Best-of-Best Hackathon Series". Devfest.info. October 2012. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
  12. ^ "Android: the first week". Android Developers Blog. 16 November 2007. Retrieved 24 January 2013.
  13. ^ "Life can be tough; here are a few SDK improvements to make it a little easier". Android Developers Blog. 14 December 2007. Retrieved 24 January 2013.
  14. ^ "Android SDK m5-rc14 now available". Android Developers Blog. 13 February 2008. Retrieved 24 January 2013.
  15. ^ "Android SDK update: m5-rc15 released". Android Developers Blog. 3 March 2008. Retrieved 24 January 2013.
  16. ^ "Announcing a beta release of the Android SDK". Android Developers Blog. 18 August 2008. Retrieved 24 January 2013.
  17. ^ "Announcing the Android 1.0 SDK, release 1". Android Developers Blog. 23 September 2008. Retrieved 24 January 2013.
  18. ^ a b Shah, Agam (1 December 2011). "Google's Android 4.0 ported to x86 processors". Computerworld. International Data Group. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  19. ^ Warman, Matt (7 June 2012). "Orange San Diego Intel Android mobile phone review". The Daily Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group Limited. Retrieved 19 June 2013.
  20. ^ "Android OS for i.MX Applications Processors Product Summary Page". Freescale Inc. 2013. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  21. ^ "Minimal hardware requirements for Android". stackexchange.com. 17 October 2011. Retrieved 1 November 2013.
  22. ^ "Google Android System Requirements". mycomputeraid.com. 3 March 2009. Retrieved 1 November 2013.
  23. ^ a b "Graphics". Android Developers. android.com. Retrieved 29 January 2014.
  24. ^ Cite error: The named reference Nexus 5 review was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  25. ^ Cite error: The named reference cdd-4.4 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  26. ^ "Android on Intel Architecture". 01.org. 11 July 2013. Retrieved 9 February 2014.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Android_version_history&oldid=599582573"