Published 18:56 IST, February 11th 2020
Android Versions List: All Android Versions that are named by Google alphabetically
While the Global rollout of Android 10 made Android drift away from their alphabetical naming, here's the full list of Google Android versions with their names.
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Android has been running our smartphones for over a dece now and has been under some massive developments. However, it was not only coding and development that took place underneath but also out of box nomenclature for all new Android versions that ded to popularity of open-source mobile OS. Not many people know that Android versions were codenamed after dessert items alphabetically beginning from Android Cupcake. Here is an Android Version list with ir names, and some key highlights of OS in update that might take you by surprise:
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Android 1.0: Android Alpha
Initial Release Date: September 23, 2008
API Level(s): 1
This Android version was first-ever commercially available rollout of Android to world. Android Alpha shipped with HTC Dream smartphone. It was with Android 1.0 (Android Alpha) that world witnessed early days of smartphone technology and operating systems targeted to make mobile device operations seamless.
Android 1.1: Android Beta
Initial Release Date: February 9, 2009
API Level(s): 2
Android version Beta was an incremental upgre to alrey existing Android Alpha. update was released to HTC Dream initially and was meant to fix bugs and d new functionalities. Not many users know that Android 1.1 was internally titled ‘Petit Four’ but never me it as actual name of Android version.
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Android 1.5: Android Cupcake
Initial Release Date: April 27, 2009
API Level(s): 3
Android 1.5 was first Android update that was based on a Linux Kernel (2.6.27) and was first one to be named after a confectionary item. Android 1.5 was globally known as ‘Android Cupcake’. It was with ‘Android Cupcake’s’ that developers started naming ir new Android versions with desserts/confectionary items.
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Android 1.6: Android Donut
Initial Release Date: September 15, 2009
API Level(s): 4
While Android Donut seemed to be an incremental update to last Android release, i.e. Android Cupcake, it packed much new functionality underneath. Android Donut was fourth major Android version update that was released to public. Android 1.6 (Android Donut) also featured latest Linux kernel (2.6.29) as its base of development.
Android 2.0 - 2.1: Android Éclair
Initial Release Date: October 26, 2009
API Level(s): 5 - 7
Android Éclair brought in introduction of Android SDK 2.0. Though Android 2.0 (Android Éclair) was based on same Linux kernel as Android Donut, it brought in many features underneath. One of revolutionary features of Android Éclair was that it brought in support for live wallpapers, where background animation would show movement of images on touch input. Android Éclair also featured incremental updates to Android 2.0.1 and 2.1 with bug fixes and performance improvements.
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Android 2.2 – 2.2.3: Android Froyo
Initial Release Date: May 20, 2010
API Level(s): 8
It was sixth major Android version update that was released out to public. Android 2.2 was named Froyo i.e. an abbreviation for Frozen Yogurt. Android Froyo brought support for higher PPI devices and ability to have 4inch 720p screens. Incremental updates with Android versions 2.2.1, 2.2.2, and 2.2.3 were released for bug fixes and performance improvements.
Android 2.3.3 – 2.3.7: Android Gingerbre
Initial Release Date: December 6, 2010
API Level(s): 9 & 10
Based on Linux kernel version 2.6.35, Android 2.3 was one of most popular Android SDK’s that was released to public. It was Android version that powered many budget smartphone offerings during time of its release. initial release of Android 2.3 received two incremental updates (2.3.1 and 2.3.2). However, Android 2.3.3 (Android Gingerbre) was released as anor major Android versions update. Android 2.3 also h release of Android 2.3.4, 2.3.5, 2.3.6, and 2.3.7 as incremental updates under Android Gingerbre.
Android 3.0 – 3.2.6: Android Honeycomb
Initial Release Date: February 22, 2011
API Level(s): 11 - 13
Android Honeycomb was first-ever Android version that was targeted for a tablet-only release. Android 3.0 never me it to smartphones. It featured several features that me operations on tablet-sized devices better. Android 3.0 featured two incremental updates, i.e. Android 3.1 and Android 3.2 (3.2, 3.2.1, 3.2.2, 3.2.3, 3.2.4, 3.2.5 and 3.2.6) under Android Honeycomb name.
Android 4.0 – 4.0.4: Android Ice Cream Sandwich
Initial Release Date: October 18, 2011
API Level(s): 14 & 15
Android 4.0, which was dubbed as Android Ice Cream Sandwich, was released as Android 4.0.1 and was ‘oretically compatible’ with all devices running Android 2.3 (Android Gingerbre). Android Ice Cream Sandwich was also last Android version to support obe Systems’ Flash Player.
Features like Wi-Fi direct and Face Unlock were introduced with Android 4.0 (Android Ice Cream Sandwich). Android Ice Cream Sandwich received an incremental update to Android version 4.0.3 with bug fixes and introduction of new features.
Android 4.1 – 4.3.1: Android Jelly bean
Initial Release Date: July 9, 2012
API Level(s): 16 - 18
Android 4.1 was next major update that was rolled out to audiences. It was released as an incremental upgre aimed at improving performance of User Interface. performance improvement also involved project butter, which used touch anticipation, triple buffering, extended v-sync timing, and frame rate of up to 60 FPS to create ‘buttery-smooth’ UI. It also has incremental update rollouts with 4.1.1, 4.1.2. Android Jelly bean was n turned to Android 4.2 and in press release, Google titled it ‘A New Flavour of Jelly Bean’. Android 4.2 received three incremental updates in process before moving to Android 4.3, y were 4.2.1, 4.2.2.
final stage of Android Jelly Bean was marked with its transition to Android 4.3. slogan for Android 4.3 Jelly Bean was ‘An even sweeter Jelly Bean’. Android 4.3 was unveiled at an event titled ‘Breakfast with Sundar Pichai’. Android 4.3 received a bug fixing update 4.3.1
Android 4.4 – 4.4.4: Android KitKat
Initial Release Date: October 31, 2013
API Level(s): 19 & 20
Initially named as ‘Key Lime Pie’ it was changed to Android KitKat because very few people knew about actual flavour of ‘Key Lime Pie’. It was Android SDK that brought support for Android Wearables and Wear OS. Android 4.4 was succeeded by incremental updates 4.4.1, 4.4.2, 4.4.3, 4.4.4. Many developers also thought that Android KitKat would make it to Android 5.0 as well.
Android 5.0 – 5.1.1: Lollipop
Initial Release Date: November 12, 2014
API Level(s): 21 & 22
Android 5.0 was codenamed as Android L during Google I/O 2014 and turned to Android Lollipop before Over--Air release. Android 5.0 Lollipop was first smartphone to have been built around a responsive design language referred to as ‘Material Design’. Incremental updates namely 5.0.1 and 5.0.2, were rolled out for fixing bugs. Android 5.0 n turned into Android 5.1 (Android Lollipop) which was meant to be an incremental update ding to performance of Android Lollipop. Android 5.1 h an incremental upgre to 5.1.1 for fixing bugs.
Android 6.0 – 6.0.1: Android Marshmallow
Initial Release Date: October 5, 2015
API Level(s): 23
Unveiled as ‘Android M’ during 2015 Google I/O, Android Marshmallow was rolled out for users on August 17, 2015. Android version brought in los of performance improvements and features to Android OS. Android Marshmallow’s bug-fixing update 6.0.1 was rolled out in December 2015.
Android 7.0 – 7.1.2: Android Nougat
Initial Release Date: August 22, 2016
API Level(s): 24 & 25
Android 7.0 was codenamed ‘Android N’ at Google I/O in 2016, and users were asked to suggest dessert names to update codename. Android 7.0 was finally named as Android Nougat before public rollout. Not Many people are of fact that Android N was going to be named as Naiappam (a dessert from Kerela, India), but it lost to Nougat’s popularity and thus was termed Nougat. Android 7.0 also was very famous for bringing in Google Assistant to users. Android 7.0 received two incremental updates in form of 7.1.1 and 7.1.2
Android 8.0 – 8.1.0: Android Oreo
Initial Release Date: August 21, 2017
API Level(s): 26 & 27
Android Orea was 8th major Android version release. Android 8.0 brought in support for Project Treble, and all Project Treble equipped devices could flash GSI images of upcoming Android Betas, with help of custom recoveries. Android 8.0 (Android Oreo) was said to be one of worst Android versions in terms of Battery life. Android 8.0 got an incremental update to 8.1.0 which fixed battery draining issue and or problems of Android version that rolled out previously.
Android 9.0: Android Pie
Initial Release Date: August 6, 2018
API Level(s): 28
Android Pie was last Android version that was codenamed after a confectionary item/dessert. Android Pie was known for its two-button navigation support and Vulkan 1.1 support. Android 9.0 Pie can still be found on numerous devices powered by Android OS. Android 9.0 was first-ever Android update that did not need an incremental or bug fixing update.
Android 10
Initial Release Date: September 3, 2019
API Level(s): 29
Android 10 is current and latest version of Android. However, with Android 10, Google decided to ditch its popular naming system and keep it plain with numbers only. Android 10 was unveiled as ‘Android Q’ at Google I/O conference. It was going to be named ‘Queen Cake’ at launch, which was earlier titled ‘Quince Tart’. However, Android 10 released as first Android version update without any dessert name attached to it. When looked carefully, users can still notice Google’s plans of using a dessert starting with Q for Android update in Settings menu and Android 10 Easter Egg.
18:56 IST, February 11th 2020