Android Operating System - Updates and Releases (updated 12/23/11)

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CONTENTS: (click link to see just that version)

1. CONTENTS
2. ANDROID 1.x
3. CUPCAKE
4. DONUT
5. ECLAIR
6. FROYO
7. GINGERBREAD - CURRENT RELEASE FOR SMARTPHONES
8. HONEYCOMB - CURRENT RELEASE FOR TABLETS
9. ICE CREAM SANDWICH - UPCOMING RELEASE FOR SMARTPHONES AND TABLETS

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ANDROID 1.x

Android 1.0: Released September 23, 2008

• Android Market application download and updates through the Market app
• Web browser to show, zoom and pan full HTML and XHTML web pages – multiple pages show as windows ("cards")
• Camera support, but no way to change resolution, white balance, quality, etc.
• Folders allow the grouping of a number of app icons into a single folder icon on the Home screen.
• Email provides access to email servers commonly found on the Internet and supports POP3, IMAP4, and SMTP.
• Gmail synchronization with the Gmail app.
• Google Contacts synchronization with the People app.
• Google Calendar synchronization with the Calendar app.
• Google Maps with Latitude and Street View to view maps and satellite imagery, as well as find local business and get driving directions using GPS.
• Google Sync allows management of over-the-air synchronization of Gmail, People, and Calendar.
• Google Search of the internet and phone apps, contacts, calendar, etc
• Google Talk instant messaging.
• Instant messaging, text messaging, and MMS.
• Media Player enables managing, importing, and playing back but lacked video and stereo Bluetooth support.
• Notifications appear in the Status bar – drag down to see details, also ringtone, LEDs and vibration options.
• Voice Dialer allows dialing and placing of phone calls without typing a name or number.
• Wallpaper allows the user to set the background image or photo behind the Home screen icons and widgets.
• YouTube video player.
• Other apps include: Alarm Clock, Calculator, Dialer (Phone), Home screen (launcher), Pictures (Gallery), and Settings.
• Other supported features include: WiFi, and Bluetooth.

Android 1.1: Released February 9, 2009 (internally known as Banana Bread, but not widely known)

• Maps: Adds details and reviews when a user does a search on Maps and clicks on a business to view its details.
• Dialer: In-call screen timeout default is now longer when using the speakerphone, Show/Hide Dialpad.
• Messaging: Saving attachments.
• System: Adds support for marquee in layouts

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CUPCAKE

Android 1.5: Released April 30, 2009

• Linux Kernel 2.6.27
• Virtual keyboard: Support for 3rd party keyboards with text prediction & user dictionary for custom words.
• Widgets: Are miniature application views that can be embedded in other applications (such as the Home screen) and receive periodic updates.
• Camera: Video recording.
• Gallery: Video playback (MPEG-4 & 3GP formats).
• Bluetooth: Stereo support added (A2DP and AVRCP profiles), Auto-pairing.
• Browser: Copy and paste features added.
• Contacts: Shows user picture for Favorites.
• Dialer: Specific date/time stamp for events in call log and one-touch access to a contact card from call log event.
• System: Animated screen transitions.
• Upload videos to YouTube.
• Upload photos on Picasa.

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DONUT

Android 1.6: Released September 15, 2009

• Linux Kernel 2.6.29
• Search: Voice Search & text entry search enhanced to include bookmarks & history, contacts, the web, and more.
• Search: Developers can now include their content in search results.
• Text to speech: Features a multi-lingual speech synthesis engine to allow any Android application to "speak" a string of text.
• Android Market: Allows easier searching, app screenshots, etc.
• Camera, camcorder, and Gallery: Updated integrated with faster camera access.
• Gallery: Now enables users to select multiple photos for deletion.
• System: Updated technology support for CDMA/EVDO, 802.1x, VPNs, and a text-to-speech engine.
• Display: Support for WVGA screen resolutions.
• Speed improvements in searching and camera applications.
• Expanded Gesture framework and new GestureBuilder development tool.
• Google free turn-by-turn navigation.

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ECLAIR

Android 2.0: Released October 26, 2009

• Linux Kernel 2.6.29
• Sync: Expanded Account sync. Multiple accounts can be added to a device for email and contact synchronization.
• Email: Exchange support, Combined inbox to browse email from multiple accounts in one page.
• Bluetooth: 2.1 support.
• Contacts: Tap a contact photo and select to call, SMS, or email the person.
• Messaging: Search all saved SMS and MMS messages. Auto delete oldest messages in a conversation when a defined limit is reached.
• Camera: Flash support, Digital zoom, Scene mode, White balance, Color effect, Macro focus.
• Virtual keyboard: Improved typing speed, smarter dictionary learns from word usage and includes contact names as suggestions.
• Browser: Refreshed UI, Bookmark thumbnails, Double-tap zoom, Support for HTML5
• Calendar: Agenda view enhanced, Attending status for each invitee, Invite new guests to events.
• System: Optimized hardware speed, Revamped UI
• Display: Support for more screen sizes and resolutions, Better contrast ratio.
• Maps: Improved Google Maps 3.1.2.
• MotionEvent class enhanced to track multi-touch events.
• Live Wallpapers: Home screen background images can be animated to show movement

Android 2.0.1: Released December 3, 2009

• Android 2.0.1 is a minor platform release deployable to Android-powered handsets starting in December 2009. This release includes minor API changes, bug fixes and framework behavioral changes.

Android 2.1: Released January 12, 2010

• Android 2.1 is a minor platform release deployable to Android-powered handsets starting in January 2010. This release includes new API changes and bug fixes.

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FROYO

Android 2.2: Released May 20, 2010

• Linux Kernel 2.6.32
• System: Speed, memory, and performance optimizations.
• Additional application speed improvements courtesy of JIT implementation.
• Integration of Chrome's V8 JavaScript engine into the Browser application.
• Improved Microsoft Exchange support (security policies, auto-discovery, GAL look-up, calendar synchronization, remote wipe).
• Improved application launcher with shortcuts to Phone and Browser applications.
• USB tethering and Wi-Fi hotspot functionality.
• Added an option to disable data access over mobile network.
• Updated Market application with batch and automatic update features.
• Quick switching between multiple keyboard languages and their dictionaries.
• Voice dialing and contact sharing over Bluetooth.
• Support for numeric and alphanumeric passwords.
• Support for file upload fields in the Browser application.
• Support for installing applications to the expandable memory.
• Adobe Flash support.
• Display: Support for extra high DPI screens (320 dpi), such as 4" 720p.

Android 2.2.1: Released September 21, 2010

• No official change log released.

Android 2.2.2: Released January 23, 2011

• A final FROYO release for phones that may or will not be updated to Android 2.3 (Gingerbread)
• Fixes SMS bug that sent messages to random contacts.
• Contains fixes to Android Market exploits.

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GINGERBREAD

Android 2.3: Released on December 6, 2010

• Linux Kernel 2.6.35
• System: Updated user interface design for simplicity and speed.
• Display: Support for extra-large screen sizes and resolutions (WXGA and higher).
• Internet calling: Native support for SIP VoIP telephony.
• Virtual Keyboard: Faster, more intuitive text input, improved accuracy, better suggested text. Voice input mode.
• Copy/Paste: Enhanced. Select a word by press-hold, copy, and paste.
• Near Field Communication lets the user read an NFC tag embedded in a poster, sticker, or advertisement.
• New audio effects such as reverb, equalization, headphone virtualization, and bass boost.
• New Download Manager giving users easy access to any file downloaded from the browser, email, or another application.
• Camera: Access multiple cameras on the device, including a front-facing camera, if available.
• Media: Support for WebM/VP8 video playback, and AAC audio encoding.
• System: Improved power management with a more active role in managing apps that are keeping the device awake for too long.
• System: Enhanced support for native code development.
• System: Switched from YAFFS to ext4 on newer devices.
• Audio, graphical, and input enhancements for game developers.
• Concurrent garbage collection for increased performance.
• Native support for more sensors (such as gyroscopes and barometers).

Android 2.3.1: Released December 23, 2010

• This system update from Google contains important bug fixes and the latest version of Maps.

Android 2.3.2: Released January 21, 2011

• Fixes SMS bug that sent messages to random contacts.

Android 2.3.3: Released February 9, 2011

• Android 2.3.3 is a small feature release that adds several improvements and APIs to the Android 2.3 platform.
• A comprehensive NFC reader/writer API that lets apps read and write to almost any standard NFC tag in use today.
• Advanced Intent dispatching that gives apps more control over how/when they are launched when an NFC tag comes into range.
• Some limited support for peer-to-peer connection with other NFC devices.
• New APIs for Bluetooth, graphics, media framework, and speech recognition.

Android 2.3.4: Released April 29, 2011

• New feature: video chat in Google Talk.
• Bug Fix: Phone shuts down or reboots: a very small percentage of users reported this problem, which is fixed with the latest release. (Nexus S)
• Bug Fix: Wi-fi & 3G icons both indicate active: for anyone who saw this strange behavior in your phone’s status bar, it should now be fixed. (Nexus S)
• Bug Fix: Battery life: some users let us know that their batteries didn’t seem to be lasting as long; battery life should be improved for these folks. (Nexus One)
• Bug Fix: GPS location/navigation: some Nexus One users who noticed location and navigation problems after updating to 2.3.3 should notice improved location accuracy. (Nexus One)

Android 2.3.5: Released July 25, 2011

• Brought improved network performance for the Nexus S 4G, among other fixes and improvements.

Android 2.3.6: Released September 6, 2011

• Voice search bug fixed.

Android 2.3.7: Released September 20, 2011

• Google Wallet support added for Nexus S 4G users.

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HONEYCOMB

NOTE: Honeycomb was never open-sourced, so some latter updates seem to be out of order. That's because these updates were pushed to devices whenever the OEM got around to it (specifically, 3.2.1 and 3.2.2).

Android 3.0: Released February 24, 2011

• Optimized tablet support with a new virtual and “holographic” user interface.
• System Bar: Quick access to notifications, status, and soft navigation buttons available at the bottom of the screen.
• Action Bar: Access to contextual options, navigation, widgets, or other types of content at the top of the screen.
• Multitasking: Tap Recent Apps in the System Bar, to see snapshots of the tasks underway and quickly jump from one app to another.
• Redesigned keyboard: To make entering text fast and accurate on larger screen sizes with greater accuracy and efficiency.
• Copy/Paste: Simplified, more intuitive.
• Browser: Multiple tabs replace browser windows, form auto-fill, and a new “incognito” mode allows anonymous browsing.
• Camera: Quick access to exposure, focus, flash, zoom, front-facing camera, time-lapse, and more.
• Gallery: View albums and other collections in full-screen mode, with easy access to thumbnails for other photos.
• Contacts: New two-pane UI and Fast Scroll to let users easily organize and locate contacts.
• Email: New two-pane UI to make viewing and organizing messages more efficient. The app lets users select one or more messages.
• Support for video chat using Google Talk.
• Hardware acceleration.
• Support for multi-core processors.

Android 3.1: Released May 10, 2011

• UI refinements.
• Connectivity for USB accessories.
• Expanded Recent Apps list.
• Resizable Home screen widgets.
• Support for external keyboards and pointing devices.
• Support for joysticks and gamepads.
• Media: Support for FLAC audio playback.
• High-performance Wi-Fi lock maintains high-performance Wi-Fi connections when device screen is off.
• Support for HTTP proxy for each connected Wi-Fi access point.

Android 3.2: Released July 15, 2011

• Improved hardware support, including optimisations for a wider range of tablets.
• Easier access for apps to files on the SD card, e.g. for synchronisation.
• Compatibility display mode for apps that have not yet been optimized for tablet screen resolutions.
• New display support functions that give developers more control over the look and feel on different Android devices.

Android 3.2.1: Released September 20, 2011

• Bug fixes and minor security, stability and Wi-Fi improvements
• Update to Android Market with automatic updates and easier-to-read Terms and Condition text
• Update to Google Books
• Improved Adobe Flash support in browser
• Improved Chinese handwriting prediction

Android 3.2.2: Released August 30, 2011

• The 3.2.2 update was released on 30 August 2011, and included bug fixes and other minor improvements for the Motorola Xoom 4G.

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ICE CREAM SANDWICH

Android 4.0.1: Released October 19, 2011

• Enhanced speed and performance
• Virtual buttons in the UI, in place of capacitive or physical buttons
• Separation of widgets in a new tab, listed in a similar manner to apps
• Easier-to-create folders, with a drag-and-drop style
• A customizable launcher
• Improved visual voicemail with the ability to speed up or slow down voicemail messages
• Pinch-to-zoom functionality in the calendar
• Offline search, a two-line preview, and new action bar at the bottom of the Gmail app
• Ability to swipe left or right to switch between Gmail conversations
• Integrated screenshot capture (accomplished by holding down the Power and Volume-Down buttons)
• Improved error correction on the keyboard
• Ability to access apps directly from lock screen (similar to HTC Sense 3.x)
• Improved copy and paste functionality
• Better voice integration and continuous, real-time speech to text dictation
• Face Unlock, a feature that allows users to unlock handsets using facial recognition software
• New tabbed web browser, allowing up to 16 tabs
• Automatic syncing of browser with users' Chrome bookmarks
• Modern Roboto font
• Data Usage section in settings that lets users set warnings when they approach a certain usage limit, and disable data use when the limit is exceeded
• Ability to shut down apps that are using data in the background
• Improved camera app with zero shutter lag, time lapse settings, panorama mode, and the ability to zoom while recording
• Built-in photo editor
• New gallery layout, organized by location and person
• Refreshed "People" app with social network integration, status updates and hi-res images
• Android Beam, a near-field communication feature allowing the rapid short-range exchange of web bookmarks, contact info, directions, YouTube videos and other data
• Hardware acceleration of the UI
• Resizeable widgets – already part of Android 3.1 for tablets, but new for cellphones
  Wi-Fi Direct[64]
  1080p video recording for stock Android devices

Android 4.0.2: Released November 28, 2011

• Fixed minor bugs on the Verizon Galaxy Nexus.

Android 4.0.3: Released December 17, 2011

• Includes a number of bug fixes and optimizations.
• Offers improvements to graphics, databases, spell-checking, Bluetooth functionality, and other features.
• New APIs were released for developers, including a social stream API in the Contacts provider, Calendar provider enhancements, new camera apps enhancing video stabilization and QVGA resolution, and accessibility refinements such as improved content access for screen readers.