Following are the versions of Google's Android operating system, which comes with a variety of Google applications. Many fixes and features are added in each new version, and some of the notable ones are highlighted below. Unlike the iPhone, each Android device manufacturer can overlay its own user interface features, which means the same version of the OS may not function identically in different devices. In addition, OS versions are rolled out at different times, and not all Android devices qualify to receive every update. See Android.
Key Lime Pie 5.0 - 2013
Key Lime Pie is expected to have performance profiles that allow apps to behave differently such as causing notification apps to become dormant at night. Also expected are a guest mode for friends, a built-in video chat and more integration of social networks.
Jelly Bean 4.2 - November 2012
Major changes are support for multiple users on tablets (users have their own home screen and apps), a panoramic photo mode and direct wireless transfer to a TV set via Miracast (support in the TV or set-top box is required). Swiping gestures and predictive text were added to the keyboard.
Jelly Bean 4.1 - August 2012
Jelly Bean can provide the user with information automatically throughout the day (see Google Now). Also included are improved camera features and notifications. An internal "Project Butter" makes Android run a bit smoother, and the speech-to-text function (voice typing) works without an Internet connection, although not quite as accurately. Jelly Bean also includes an improved voice search, which is the counterpart to Apple's Siri.
Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0 - October 2011
Introduced on Samsung's Galaxy Nexus, Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS) combines Gingerbread and Honeycomb versions into one. ICS added a raft of new features, including facial recognition unlocking, resizable Widgets, Wi-Fi Direct and touch screen keys in lieu of hardware Home, Menu and Back buttons.
Honeycomb 3.0 - February 2011
Introduced on the Motorola Xoom, Honeycomb is a tablet-only version that takes advantage of larger screens. Touted as "3D Holographic," it adds toolbars at top and bottom and incorporates tabbed browsing and other desktop features. When plugging into a computer's USB port, Honeycomb uses Microsoft's Media Transfer Protocol (see MTP) for file transfer rather than connecting as a USB mass storage device.
Gingerbread 2.3 - December 2010
Introduced on the Samsung Galaxy Nexus S, support was added for VoIP, enhanced copy/paste, front-facing camera, AAC audio and near field communication (NFC). Gingerbread allowed for screens with WXGA and higher resolution.
Froyo 2.2 - May 2010
Support for Bluetooth hands free, push notifications, Wi-Fi hotspot functionality and greater screen resolution. Better Microsoft Exchange and Android Market integration.
Eclair 2.0/2.1 - October 2009
Support for Microsoft Exchange mail. Search expanded to include SMS and MMS messages, and HTML5 support in the browser. More camera features, including flash, zoom and white balance.
Donut 1.6 - September 2009
Search expanded to include bookmarks and history. More camera integration and features.
Cupcake 1.5 - April 2009
Support for Widgets, such as a search box into the app on the home screen, virtual keyboards, MPEG-4 video and YouTube/Picasa uploading.
Version 1.0/1.1 - September 2008
First version of Android released on the HTC G1. It included all the Google apps and synchronization (search, mail, contacts, calendar, etc.). In February 2009, Version 1.1 added the capability of saving attachments in messages.
