Different Versions of Android OS

Android operating system of Google was launched in 2008. This is now the most used platform for smartphones and tablets. There are several versions starting from Apple Pie, Banana Bread, Cupcake, Donut, Eclair, Froyo, Gingerbread, Honeycomb, ICS, Jelly Bean and the rumored Key Lime Pie.

Android is used by leading manufacturers like Samsung, Motorola, HTC, LG, Sony and many others. Even the low cost devices like Aakash tablets have this platform. Samsung Galaxy series of devices are getting Android ICS updates every now and then. This is a rival to the Apple’s iOS that is used in iPhone and iPad.

The table below explains the different versions, their key features and release date. It explains the history of the mobile operating system.

Version Name	Key Features	Release Date
Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich	stability improvements better camera performance smoother screen rotation	2012 Mar 28
Android 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich	Social stream API in Contacts provider to show updates associated to your contacts Video stabilization and QVGA video resolution API access Accessibility API refinements for screen readers Calendar provider updates	2011 Dec 16
Android 4.0.2 Ice Cream Sandwich	Minor fixes	2011 Nov 28
Android 4.0.1 Ice Cream Sandwich	Facial recognition (Face Unlock) UI use Hardware acceleration Better voice recognition (dictating/Voice typing) Web browser, allows up to 16 tabs Updated launcher (customizable) Android Beam app to exchange data through NFC Resizeable widgets	2011 Oct 19
Android 3.2.6 Honeycomb	Minor fixes	2011 Dec 15
Android 3.2.4 Honeycomb	Added “Pay as you go” for tablets	2011 Dec 15
Android 3.2.2 Honeycomb	Minor fixes	2011 Sep 30
Android 3.2.1 Honeycomb	Android Market updates including easier automatic updates Google Books updates Wi-Fi improvements Chinese handwriting prediction improved	2011 Sep 20
Android 3.2 Honeycomb	Optimizations for a wider range of tablets Compatibility display mode Media sync from SD card	2011 Jul 15
Android 3.1 Honeycomb	UI improvements Open Accessory API USB host API Mice, joysticks, gamepads… support Resizable Home screen widgets MTP notifications RTP API for audio	2011 May 10
Android 3.0 Honeycomb	Multi core support Better tablet support Updated 3D UI Google Talk video chat Google eBooks Private browsing	2011 Feb 22
Android 2.3.7 Gingerbread	Google Wallet support for the Nexus S 4G	-
Android 2.3.6 Gingerbread	Voice search issue fixed	-
Android 2.3.5 Gingerbread	Improved network performance for the Nexus S 4G Fixed Bluetooth issues on the Samsung Galaxy S Gmail app. improvements	2011 Jul 25
Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread	Open Accessory API Voice or video chat using Google Talk	2011 May 10
Android 2.3.3 Gingerbread	NFC API improvements	2011 Feb 9
Android 2.3 Gingerbread	Updated UI WebM video playback capability Improved copy/paste Social networking features Near Field Communication support Native VoIP/SIP support Video call support	2010 Dec 6
Android 2.2 Froyo	Speed improvements JIT implementation USB Tethering Applications installation to the expandable memory Upload file support in the browser Animated GIFs	2010 May 20
Android 2.1 Eclair	Updated UI	2010 Jan 12
Android 2.0.1 Eclair	-	2009 Dec 3
Android 2.0 Eclair	HTML Digital zoom Microsoft Exchange support Bluetooth 2.1 Live Wallpapers Updated UI	2009 Oct 26
Android 1.6 Donut	Gesture framework Turn-by-turn navigation	2009 Sep 15
Android 1.5 Cupcake	Bluetooth A2DP, AVRCP support Soft-keyboard with text-prediction Record/watch videos	2009 Apr 30
Android 1.1 Banana Bread	-	2009 Feb 9
Android 1.0 Apple pie	-	2008 Sep 23