How many versions of Android are there?

One of the criticisms often levelled against the Android smartphone operating system is that it’s merely a copy of Apple’s iOS.

And to an extent, that’s true.

The iPhone and its accompanying App Store were launched in 2007, but Android only made its debut in 2008, as the rather unimaginatively-named Android 1.0.

Even back then, there was Google integration with Gmail and Maps, and a Google-based web browser which would eventually evolve into Chrome.

There have been numerous different versions of Android, culminating at version 10.0 which was launched last September.

In between, there have been various different flavours – almost literally…

A piece of cake

Android 1.0 was quickly revised to 1.5 and relaunched in early 2009 as Android Cupcake.

It introduced basic functionalities already adopted by Apple, such as an on-screen keyboard and a framework supporting third-party apps.

Cupcake became the first of 14 dessert-themed version names – though some of these weren’t full releases.

Version 4.0 was known as Ice Cream Sandwich, versions 4.1 to 4.3.1 were christened Jelly Bean, and 4.4 to 4.4.4 became known as KitKat. All shared similar architecture and features.

By contrast, 3.0 was only ever called Honeycomb, and 9.0 laboured under the rather unflattering moniker of Pie.

There have been 16 different versions of Android between 2008 and 2020. And some have been more successful than others…

Sweet and sour

The ongoing evolution of Android has seen new features introduced throughout its lifetime, and at widely varying intervals.

Within six weeks of debuting different screen sizes and resolutions, 2009’s Donut was replaced by Éclair with voice-guided turn-by-turn navigation.

Four months later, Froyo arrived, supporting voice control and introducing a dock at the bottom of the home screen.

However, 2011’s Honeycomb release was less successful, since it worked exclusively on tablets and employed a short-lived holographic interface.

Its successor (Ice Cream Sandwich) arrived in the same year and was the first Android version to focus on swiping, with a card-based system for switching between apps.

Tomorrow’s world

Back in 2013, Android predicted the rise of smart speakers and virtual assistants by launching “OK Google” support in version 4.4 (KitKat).

It was 2014’s Lollipop which established the design aesthetic Android users are familiar with today, while 2016’s Nougat debuted split screens and data saving functionalities.

Yet many owners of Android handsets weren’t able to capitalise on these improvements straight away.

That’s because, from Nougat onwards, Google’s proprietary Pixel handsets have been the first to receive the latest version of this operating system.

Owners of other handsets rely on different versions of Android – specifically, older and less up-to-date ones.

For instance, Pixel owners have been the first to enjoy Android 10’s superior security features and revamped gesture navigation.

By the time 10 is rolled out across the Android ecosystem, a new version of the world’s leading mobile OS might be here, and the chase to keep up with Pixel phones will continue.