Vasanth Demo Blog: Introduction to Android

Introduction to Android

Android

Android is an operating system based on the Linux kernel, and designed primarily for touchscreen mobile devices such as smartphones and tablet computers. Initially developed by Android, Inc., which Google backed financially and later bought in 2005, Android was unveiled in 2007 along with the founding of the Open Handset Alliance: a consortium of hardware, software, and telecommunication companies devoted to advancingopen standards for mobile devices. The first Android-powered phone was sold in October 2008.

Open Handset Alliance

Open Handset Alliance, a consortium of technology companies including Google, device manufacturers such as HTC, Sony and Samsung, wireless carriers such as Sprint Nextel and T-Mobile, and chipset makers such as Qualcomm and Texas Instruments, unveiled itself, with a goal to develop open standards for mobile devices.

First Android Phone - HTC Dream

Android Versions

Android 1.0 (API level 1)

Android 1.0, the first commercial version of the software, was released on 23 September 2008. The first commercially available Android device was th0e HTC Dream.
Android 1.1 (API level 2)

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" internally, though this name was not used officially. The update resolved bugs, changed the Android API and added a number of features.
Android 1.5 Cupcake (API level 3)

On 27 April 2009, the Android 1.5 update was released, based on Linux kernel 2.6.27. 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.
Android 1.6 Donut (API level 4)

On 15 September 2009, the Android 1.6 SDK – dubbed Donut – was released, based on Linux kernel 2.6.29. Included in the update were numerous new features.
Android 2.0 Eclair (API level 5)

On 26 October 2009, the Android 2.0 SDK – codenamed Eclair – was released, based on Linux kernel 2.6.29.
Android 2.0.1 Eclair (API level 6)

On 3 December 2009, the Android 2.0.1 SDK was released, Minor API changes, bug fixes and framework behavioral changes.
Android 2.1 Eclair (API level 7)

On 12 January 2010, the Android 2.1 SDK was released, Minor amendments to the API and bug fixes.
Android 2.2–2.2.3 Froyo (API level 8)

On 20 May 2010, the SDK for Android 2.2 (Froyo, short for frozen yogurt) was released, based on Linux kernel 2.6.32.
Android 2.3–2.3.2 Gingerbread (API level 9)

On 6 December 2010, the Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) SDK was released, based on Linux kernel 2.6.35.
Android 2.3.3–2.3.7 Gingerbread (API level 10)

On 9 February 2011, the Android 2.3.3 SDK was released, Several improvements and API fixes.
Android 3.0 Honeycomb (API level 11)

On 22 February 2011, the Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) SDK – the first tablet-only Android update – was released, based on Linux kernel 2.6.36. The first device featuring this version, the Motorola Xoom tablet, was released on 24 February 2011.
Android 3.1 Honeycomb (API level 12)

On 10 May 2011, the Android 3.1 SDK was released, Minor improvements and bug fixes.
Android 3.2 Honeycomb (API level 13)

15 July 2011, the Android 3.2 SDK was released, Most first- and second-generation Google TV-enabled devices utilize Honeycomb 3.2.
Android 4.0–4.0.2 Ice Cream Sandwich (API level 14)

The SDK for Android 4.0.1 (Ice Cream Sandwich), based on Linux kernel 3.0.1, was publicly released on 19 October 2011. Google's Gabe Cohen stated that Android 4.0 was "theoretically compatible" with any Android 2.3.x device in production at that time. The source code for Android 4.0 became available on 14 November 2011. Ice Cream Sandwich was the last version to officially support Adobe Systems' Flash player.
Android 4.0.3–4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich (API level 15)

On 16 December 2011, the Android 4.0.3 SDK was released, Minor improvement and bug fixes.
Android 4.1 Jelly Bean (API level 16)

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, triple buffering, extended vsync timing and a fixed frame rate of 60 fps to create a fluid and "buttery-smooth" UI. Android 4.1 Jelly Bean was released to the Android Open Source Projecton 9 July 2012, and the Nexus 7 tablet, the first device to run Jelly Bean, was released on 13 July 2012.
Android 4.2 Jelly Bean (API level 17)

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. 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 (made by LG) and Nexus 10 (made bySamsung), which were released on 13 November 2012.
Android 4.3 Jelly Bean (API level 18)

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 2nd generation Nexus 7 tablet was the first device to officially ship with it. A minor bugfixing update was released on 22 August 2013.
Android 4.4 KitKat (API level 19)

Google announced Android 4.4 KitKat (named in collaboration with Nestlé and Hershey) on 3 September 2013. The release had long been expected to be numbered 5.0 and called 'Key Lime Pie'.[123] KitKat debuted on the Google's Nexus 5 made by LG.

Android Version Market Share as of November 2013

Version	Codename	API	Distribution
2.2	Froyo	8	1.7%
2.3.3 - 2.3.7	Gingerbread	10	26.3%
3.2	Honeycomb	13	0.1%
4.0.3 - 4.0.4	Ice Cream Sandwich	15	19.8%
4.1.x	Jelly Bean	16	37.3%
4.2.x		17	12.5%
4.3		18	2.3%