Evolution of Android from its creation to Android 8 O

Evolution of Android from its creation to Android 8 O

Android is, since 2017, the most used operating system in the world, dethroning Bill Gates' almighty Microsoft. The reason for this is mainly found in the massive acceptance of mobile phones globally (some studies already speak of more than 2,000 million phones), where the indisputable king is Google and its Android.

Thus, the next version of the system, Android 8 O, will be the first to appear already holding the crown. Therefore, it is a very good time to review all the versions of this system and how it has evolved to become the standard that we all know.

1st generation

android 1

The first version of Android was born on September 23, 2008. It already included its own app store, the primitive Google Market , in addition to offering synchronization with the main Google apps of the moment, Gmail, YouTube, Google Talk, Google Contact and Calendar. . The system was ready to recognize Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and voice dialing.

From there, 3 updates were released , 1.1 Petit Four, 1.5 Cupcake and 1.6 Donut , the latter in September 2009. With these updates the system was polished, including the possibility of adding widgets or recording video for then upload it to YouTube. Screen rotation also appears.

2nd generation: Eclair, Froyo and Gingerbread

android 2

In October 2009 the second generation of Android would arrive, when mobile phones began to make their way among the public with increasing acceptance. In this version we would see how the software of the camera would be clearly improved, including support for flash, scene mode or white balance , among other functions. The general interface of the system has been revised to become more interactive, with double-tap zoom and the inclusion of animated wallpapers.

This second version of Android would be updated until December 2011. At that time we would see Android 2.2 Froyo and Android 2.3 Gingerbread appear . Apart from improving the overall performance of the system, these updates would add more functions for Google Market, support for Adobe Flash, NFC, Android Cloud or Android Wallet. Successful phones like the HTC Desire, the Sony Xperia S or the Samsung Galaxy SII worked with this system.

3rd generation: Honeycomb

android 3 honeycomb

Very few people know of the existence of this version, Android 3. And it is that when updating from Android 2.3 we went directly to Android 4. What was this intermediate version then? Android 3 Honeycomb lasted only a year, and was focused solely on televisions and tablets . The idea was to optimize systems that were not exactly equivalent to mobiles and provide specific functionalities to their format.

Synchronization with joysticks, keyboard adaptations and the general interface made Android look better on larger screens . With the passage of time, the idea of ​​making an Android only for these formats was put aside, and from the next Android, the system would be the same for all formats.

4th generation: Jelly Bean and KitKat

android 4

The first major renovation of Google's system came with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, in October 2011. This version underwent a complete overhaul of the interface, making it more modern and graphic , adapted to higher resolution screens. Among other improvements, it fully optimized the use of Chrome as a browser with several tabs, allowed to customize the Launcher, included a photo editor and also allowed to record video in 1080p (Full HD).

Android 4 had 4 big updates, Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, Android 4.2 Jelly Bean (Gummy Bear), Android 4.3 Jelly Bean (Michel) and Android 4.4 KitKat . The system lasted until mid-2014, being the longest version of this operating system. At this time we would see how Android would reach a standardized design that remains to this day: among other features Google Market disappeared to be renamed Play Store, the command "Ok Google" would be created for voice dialing and synchronization with Google Print would appear to print directly from the mobile or tablet.

5th generation: Lollipop

android 5

The fifth version of Google's system, Android 5 Lollipop was the one that passed through our lives the fastest: it arrived in November 2014 and was finished in April 2015. Its main contribution was aesthetics, making the design more beautiful and modern . The lock screen has been completely updated, removing the inclusion of widgets and offering more intuitive notifications. Even so, it included some elements such as the inclusion of the flashlight as part of the operating system (before it was a separate app) or the possibility of opening several user sessions.

6th generation: Marshmallow

android 6

With Android 6 Marshmallow we reach a different level of operation, adapted to more modern needs. For example, there is support for Android Pay, for fingerprint readers as well as for Bluetooth stylus pens . A permission manager is also introduced, a great tool for the user to have more control over their applications. The backup and restore system is also improved. As a detail, it increases access to new emojis. Currently, there are phones like the Samsung Galaxy A5 2017, which have been released with this version still.

7th generation: Nougat

android 7

Although it was launched a year ago, in August 2016, many users began to enjoy Android 7 on their devices just a few months ago. Android 7 introduced some new features in design and functions, such as the ability to split the screen or grouped notifications . There was also no-download access to applications, thanks to the Instant Apps system.

Another important detail is the possibility of accessing the options of an app without having to open it , just by clicking on the icon continuously. The general interface is also updated, working with circular icons. It is expected that we enjoy this Android in a generalized way during the rest of the year.

8th generation: Oreo?

android 8

We come to the latest version, Android 8 0, not yet available and without an official release date. However, we do know that it will be focused on optimizing operation to the maximum. Among other functions it includes Vitals, which allows the system to go faster, and thanks to Dots notifications we can preview them without having to go to the notification panel .

New emojis are also expected, and a text autocomplete feature to speed up the process of writing recurring content. We still have a lot to know about Android 8 O, but with these first features we already get long teeth. Even so, we can realize the great evolution that has occurred in these almost ten years of Android , in which Google has managed to consolidate its reign in the world of operating systems.