9. v3.x Honeycomb

v3.0

On 22 February 2011, the Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) SDK – the first tablet-only Android update – was released, based on Linux kernel 2.6.36. The first device featuring this version, the Motorola Xoom tablet, was released on 24 February 2011. Changes included:

·         Optimized tablet support with a new virtual and “holographic” user interface

·         Added System Bar, featuring quick access to notifications, status, and soft navigation buttons, available at the bottom of the screen

·         Added Action Bar, giving access to contextual options, navigation, widgets, or other types of content at the top of the screen

·         Redesigned keyboard, making typing fast, efficient and accurate on larger screen sizes

·         Simplified, more intuitive copy/paste interface

·         Quick access to camera exposure, focus, flash, zoom, front-facing camera, time-lapse, and more

v3.1

The 3.1 SDK was released on 10 May 2011. Changes included:

·         UI refinements

·         Connectivity for USB accessories

·         Resizable Home screen widgets

·         Support for external keyboards and pointing devices

·         Support for joysticks and gamepads

·         High-performance Wi-Fi lock, maintaining high-performance Wi-Fi connections when device screen is off

·         Support for HTTP proxy for each connected Wi-Fi access point

v3.2

The 3.2 SDK was released on 15 July 2011, first appearing on Huawei's MediaPad tablet. Changes included:

·         Improved hardware support, including optimizations for a wider range of tablets

·         Increased ability of apps to access files on the SD card, e.g. for synchronization

·         Compatibility display mode for apps that have not been optimized for tablet screen resolutions

·         New display support functions, giving developers more control over display appearance on different Android devices

v3.2.1

The Android 3.2.1 update was released on 20 September 2011, and included a number of amendments:

·         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

v3.2.2                                                                               

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

6. v2.0/2.1 Eclair

·                                v2.0

         On 26 October 2009, the Android 2.0 SDK – codenamed Eclair – was released, based on Linux kernel 2.6.29. Changes included:

o   Bluetooth 2.1 support

o   Ability to tap a Contacts photo and select to call, SMS, or email the person

o   Ability to search all saved SMS and MMS messages, with delete oldest messages in a conversation automatically deleted when a defined limit is reached

o   Numerous new camera features, including flash support, digital zoom, scene mode, white balance, color effect and macro focus

o   Calendar agenda view enhanced, showing attending status for each invitee, and ability to invite new guests to events

o   Addition of live wallpapers, allowing the animation of home-screen background images to show movement

·                      v2.0.1

           The Android 2.0.1 SDK was released on 3 December 2009. It was a minor platform release deployable to Android-powered handsets, including minor API changes, bug fixes and framework behavioral changes.

·                                   v2.1

           The 2.1 SDK was released on 12 January 2010.  It was a minor platform release deployable to Android-powered handsets, including minor amendments to the API and bug fixes.

7. v2.2.x Froyo

                            Google's Nexus One was the first smartphone to receive Android 2.2 Froyo.

·                                   v2.2

              On 20 May 2010, the Android 2.2 (Froyo) SDK was released, based on Linux kernel 2.6.32. Its features included:

o   Speed, memory, and performance optimizations

o   USB tethering and Wi-Fi hotspot functionality

o   Updated Market application with batch and automatic update features

o   Support for Bluetooth-enabled car and desk docks

o   Support for numeric and alphanumeric passwords

o   Adobe Flash support

o   Gallery allows users to view picture stacks using a zoom gesture

·                                  v2.2.1

               The Android 2.2.1 update was released on 18 January 2011, and included a number of bug fixes, security updates, and performance improvements.

·                                 v2.2.2

           The Android 2.2.2 update was released on 22 January 2011, and fixed minor bugs, including SMS routing issues that affected the Nexus One.

·                                 v2.2.3

            The Android 2.2.3 update was released on 21 November 2011, and consisted of two security patches.

8. v2.3.x Gingerbread

·                                 v2.3

                 On 6 December 2010, the Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) SDK was released, based on Linux kernel 2.6.35. Changes included:

o   New audio effects such as reverb, equalization, headphone virtualization, and bass boost

o   Support for multiple cameras on the device, including a front-facing camera, if available

o   Audio, graphical, and input enhancements for game developers

·                                v2.3.3

             Released on 9 February 2011, Android 2.3.3 included several improvements and API fixes.

·                                v2.3.4

      Version 2.3.4 introduced support for voice or video chat using Google Talk.

·                    v2.3.5
                               Released on 25 July 2011, Android 2.3.5 included a number of system enhancements:

o   Improved network performance for the Nexus S 4G, among other fixes and improvements

o   Fixed Bluetooth bug on Samsung Galaxy S

o   Improved Gmail application

o   Shadow animations for list scrolling

o   Camera software enhancements

o   Improved battery efficiency

·                               v2.3.6

      Released on 2 September 2011, this version fixed a voice search bug. The 2.3.6 update had the side-effect of impairing the Wi-Fi hotspot functionality of many Canadian Nexus S phones. Google acknowledged this problem and fixed it in late September.

·                              v2.3.7

           Android 2.3.7 introduced Google Wallet support for the Nexus S 4G.