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Google Android OS Codename And History by Idrismusty97(m): 12:38pm On Oct 26, 2013 |
Google's Android division certainly has a sense of humor as it named all their version codenames after desserts (just as Intel name all its CPUs after rivers). To celebrate new version release of Android, a giant mock-up of the dessert that matches the codename is usually delivered to the Google Campus and put on display. So what are the different versions of Android OS, and the desserts associated with them? Let us go over a short history of when's what. [size=24pt]Noname 1.0 and 1.1 versions[/size] There appears to be no codename assigned to Versions 1.0 and 1.1 of Android OS. Google bought a company called Android back in July 2005. Android was headed by several mobile bigshots, including former head of a big carrier, ex-owner of a phone maker, and more. After their buyout, Android went into stealth mode, and rumors spread that Google is working on a mobile phone. The dam finally broke in November 2007, when Google suddenly announced that they are indeed working on a phone (Google Phone), but also a brand-new mobile operating system called Android, based on the Linux kernel, to be used by the Open Handset Alliance, a group of 65 different hardware maker, carriers, and other mobile-related companies. HTC was the first phone maker to get a real consumer phone out, the T-Mobile G1 (also known as the HTC Dream outside of US), on October 2008. An update of Android, version 1.1, was released in February 2009. However, the first significant version of Android OS that really showcased the power of the platform is V1.5, codename "Cupcake". As Cupcake starts with letter "C", it's is widely suspected that 1.0 would start with "A", and 1.1 would start with "B", but no actual codenames were ever assigned. [size=24pt]Android 1.5, i.e. Cupcake[/size] Technically Android 1.5 wasn't the first version, but versions before that doesn't seem to have received any codenames. Stories were told that it was supposed to be version 1.2, but Google decided to make it a major revision and made it 1.5 instead, and gave it the dessert name "cupcake" as a codename, and that's when the "dessert series" got started. A cupcake is a small cake, the size of an individual portion, baked in a cup-shaped mold, usually served with frosting on top. [size=24pt]Android 1.6, i.e. Donut[/size] Android V1.6, codename Donut, was released in September 2009. It fixed reboot errors in the OS as well as revamped photo and video features (i.e. camera interface) and better search integration. It also added support for larger screen size, and is the first version to offer Google turn-by-turn navigation feature. Donut is usually defined as a small ring-shaped friedcake, is actually spelled doughnut, made out of rich, light dough and deep fried, then various sweet coating can be added. Please don't mistake this with bagel, which is baked, much denser, and usually salty. [size=24pt]Android 2.0 / 2.1, i.e. Eclair[/size] Android 2.0 was released in October 2009, with a bugfix version 2.0.1 in December 2009. Android 2.1 was released January of 2010. Most people consider them a single release. Added features include Bluetooth 2.1 support, flash and digital zoom for the camera, multi-touch support, live wallpapers, and more. Eclair the dessert is usually describe as an oblong "cream puff", a baked pastry with cream filling and chocolate coating on top. [size=24pt]Android 2.2, i.e. Froyo[/size] Android 2.2 mainly improved speed by adopting the Javascript "just-in-time" compiler engine from the Google browser "Chrome", as well as improved browser support by adding animated GIF support, Flash 10.1 plug-in support, along with USB tethering and Wi-Fi Hotspot capability (for those with supporting hardware). Froyo is actually concatenated from "frozen yogurt", but is also a brand name. It is a frozen dessert made from yogurt, so it is slightly more sour, but also lower in fat. [size=24pt]Android 2.3, i.e. Gingerbread[/size] Gingerbread man on Google campus has been reported in early November 2010, and Gingerbread is officially released in December 2010. On December 7th, 2010, Google officially announced the Nexus S (made by Samsung) to be released on T-Mobile, the first phone with Android OS 2.3 Gingerbread. SDK has been released. Nexus S has since also appeared on Sprint and AT&T. Gingerbread features support for SIP internet calling, NFC wireless transaction capability (if hardware is present), support for more than one camera, support for gyroscope and other sensors (barometer, gravimeter, and others are possible), download manager, some tweaks to allow usage on Tablets, and other system level tweaks for programmers. In desserts, gingerbread is basically ginger-flavored "cake" or "cookie". It is often made to celebrate end-of-year holidays in the US, and often in the shape of a man. [size=24pt]Android 2.4: Still Gingerbread[/size] TechCrunch just revealed that there will be "Ice Cream Sandwich" after Honeycomb. A version of Android 2.4 was found on Sony Ericssen Xperia Arc at CES 2011. The phone maker claims wrong version, but later Google source confirmed that "Ice Cream" will be announced at Google I/O event in May 2011 and released June or July 2011. But wait, Pocket Lint quotes Viewsonic (an Android tablet maker, among other things) that 2.4 will retain the "Gingerbread" moniker , and "Ice Cream" (or "Ice Cream Sandwich" will be 3.1! Well, 2.4 being Ice Cream doesn't make sense, as it violates the existing order, as the dessert names are in alphabetical order, and I is after H, not before. It does make sense to make it after Honeycomb (3.0) [size=24pt]Android 3.0 / 3.1 / 3.2 i.e. Honeycomb[/size] Honeycomb was released in February 2011, and was rapidly followed by 3.1 and 3.2 which only came out in July / August 2011. Google posted a lot of previews and highlights on Honeycomb. Android-based tablets should be running 3.X as that will be optimized for tablets, (implying current Android OS 2.X are not really designed for tablets) That did not stop a slew of smaller manufacturers as well as Samsung from putting out an army of Android tablets of various sizes before the end of 2010 with Android 2.X hoping to catch the Christmas shopping season and success of Apple's iPad. Motorola Xoom is the first Android 3.X tablet to be released, It has since been followed by a ton of Tablets. Dessert-wise... Honeycomb is a sweetened breakfast cereal that has been made since 1965 by Post Cereals. It consists of honey-flavored corn cereal bits in a honeycomb shape. [size=24pt]Android 4.0 and later: The REAL "Ice Cream Sandwich"[/size] It appears now that Honeycomb (3.X) will remain a tablet-only OS, while the phones will keep getting Gingerbread (2.x) updates until the unified codebase, i.e. Android OS 4.0, which will be "Ice Cream Sandwich" launch some time in the future. And it turns out, the future is... October 2011. Wow, that's fast. I actually said 12-18 months just a few months ago. I guess I'll have to eat my words. Will your device run it? I have no idea. And I STILL don't. I'm guessing the dual-core machines will have no problem. But older devices? Don't bet on it. Even now, January 2012, only ONE phone (Samsung Galaxy Nexus) has been released to run it, and a few more are expected to get updates (Motorola Droid RAZR and Droid Bionic, Samsung Galaxy S2 series, HTC ReZound?) later. In real life, ice cream sandwich is a layer of ice cream, usually vanilla, sandwiched between two chocolate cookies, and usually rectangular in shape. (see illustration) [size=24pt]Android 4.1: Jelly Bean[/size] It is now certain that next version of Android OS will be named Jelly Bean. On June 26th, the Jelly Bean mascot (see right) appeared on Google campus, as reported by the Verge (also visible are Ice Cream Sandwich, Honeycomb, and Gingerbread). UPDATE: CNET just reported from Google I/O 2012 that Jelly Bean will have "Google Now", AI assistant that anticipates your needs, better notification than (more interactive), and more. [size=24pt]Android 4.4:kit kat[/size] Google has JUST announced on 03- SEP-2013 that Android 4.4 will be named Kitkat. And apparently the mascot has been delivered and installed on Google campus! That means this version should be released very soon for the Nexus devices. Ports to other Android devices will take several months. Apparently Nestle is fully onboard, as they have launched an advertising campaign with Google... Specially marked packages of Kitkat (look for Andy the Green Android on the package) will contain a sweepstakes code that can win you a new Nexus 7 Android tablet, or Google Play store credit. Clearly, this would be US only. |
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