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History of Android OS & Versions in English - (BCA / B.Tech)

History of Android OS in English:

Any mobile manufacturer (like Samsung, Xiaomi, Vivo) can customize the Android OS according to their needs.
Its main codebase is available for free under the AOSP (Android Open Source Project).

The story of the Android OS is about starting from a small startup to becoming the world's most influential mobile platform.
Open-source, flexible design, a vast developer community, and Google's support are the biggest reasons for its success.

Today, Android is the most used mobile operating system in the world.
Besides smartphones, it is also used in TVs (Android TV), cars (Android Auto), watches (Wear OS), and IoT devices.
More than 75% of smartphones are running on the Android OS.

What is Android?

Android is an open-source mobile operating system specifically designed for smartphones and tablets.

It is based on the Linux Kernel and is primarily developed by Google.

Foundation and Purpose of Android Inc.:

Foundation: Android Inc. was founded in October 2003.

It had four co-founders:

Andy Rubin
Rich Miner
Nick Sears
Chris White

Original Purpose:

Initially, Android was being developed with the aim of creating an operating system for digital cameras.
But later, it was decided to develop it as a platform for mobile phones.

Acquisition by Google

Google bought Android Inc. in July 2005.
Andy Rubin and his team joined Google.
After this, Android began to be developed as an open-source and powerful mobile OS.

Development Phase of Android

Google based Android on the Linux Kernel.
It provided open-source tools for developers like:

SDK (Software Development Kit)

Emulator
Debugger
APIs

Announcement of Android and the First Device

On November 5, 2007, Google, along with several companies, founded the Open Handset Alliance (OHA).
Its purpose was to provide an open and free mobile platform.

First Android Device:

The first Android-based mobile was: HTC Dream (T-Mobile G1)
It was launched in September 2008.
It had Android Version 1.0.

Android Versions in English

Android versions were named after sweet treats (Desserts) according to the letters A-Z.
This tradition started with Android 1.5 Cupcake and continued until Android 9 Pie.

History of Android OS & Versions in English

Change from Android 10:

From Android 10 (2019), Google stopped the tradition of dessert names and released versions as numbers.

Version Launch Year Main Changes

Android 10 2019 Gesture navigation, Dark Mode

Android 11 2020 Chat bubbles, Privacy updates

Android 12 2021 Material You design

Android 13 2022 Theming, Permissions update

Android 14 2023 Accessibility features

Android 15 2024 (Latest, AI and battery improvements)

History of Android OS & Versions in English

History of Android OS in English:

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