Android

Updated: 12/10/2023 by Computer Hope

Android may refer to any of the following:

1. An android is a robot that strongly resembles a human being.

Legacy Android logo

2. Initially founded by Andy Rubin in October 2003 and later acquired by Google on August 17, 2005. Android is a free Linux based platform and is an open software stack with an operating system, middleware, and applications. It was developed by Google and released on November 5, 2007, for mobile platforms.

T-Mobile's G1 phone (HTC Dream) is the first phone to be released to the public with Google Android on September 23, 2008. Android is a strong rival to the Apple iOS, a closed operating system and platform used on the Apple iPhone.

Tip

It is not uncommon for a smartphone running Android to be called a "droid."

Note

Android was featured as a top term of 2010.

Android versions

Since being released, there have been many versions of Android versions, which is why if you have multiple Android devices, you'll notice differences. Below is a listing of each of the different major Android versions with their desert codenames.

Google Android logo

Android version 1.0 released on September 23, 2008.
Android version 1.5 (Cupcake) released on April 27, 2009.
Android version 1.6 (Donut) released on September 15, 2009.
Android version 2.0 released (Eclair) on October 29, 2009.
Android version 2.1 released on January 12, 2010.
Android version 2.2 (Froyo) released on May 20, 2010.
Android version 2.3 (Gingerbread) released on December 6, 2010.
Android version 3.0 (Honeycomb) released on February 22, 2011.
Android version 3.1 released on May 10, 2011.
Android version 3.2 released on July 15, 2011.
Android version 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) released on October 8, 2011.
Android version 4.1 (Jelly Bean) released on July 9, 2012.
Android version 4.2 released on November 13, 2012.
Android version 4.3 released on July 24, 2013.
Android version 4.4 (KitKat) released on October 31, 2013.
Android version 5.0 (Lollipop) released on November 3, 2014.
Android version 6.0 (Marshmallow) released on October 5, 2015.
Android version 7.0 (Nougat) released on August 22, 2016.
Android version 8.0 (Oreo / Oatmeal) released on August 21, 2017.
Android version 8.1 released on February 27, 2019.
Android version 9.0 (Pie) released on February 27, 2019.
Android version 10 (Quince Tart) released on September 3, 2019.
Android version 11 (Red Velvet Cake) released on September 8, 2020.
Android version 12 (Snow Cone) released on October 4, 2021.
Android version 13 (Tiramisu) released on August 15, 2022.
Android version 14 (Upside down cake) to be released on October 4, 2023.
Android version 15 (Vanilla ice cream) to be released in late 2024.

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