Why are Android versions named after sweet desserts?

Why are Android versions named after sweet desserts? Is it because Google thinks Android is the sweetest gift for users?

Meaning of naming a sweet dessert

According to Android engineer Jean-Baptiste Queru told Android Police site in 2012, although all other versions of Android are coded according to some sweet candy or some dessert, the first version of Android OS (1.0 ) announced in September 2008 without any code names, both internal and public. Android 1.1, released in February 2009, though not yet publicly available, many reports claim that the team has used the 'Petit four' name code for the operating system (a small French pancake).

Not until the release of Android 1.5, a few months later in April 2009, Android was officially named Cupcake. The idea of ​​naming big sweet snacks for each Android version comes from the project manager at Google, Ryan Gibson, but the specific reason he chooses to do so is still unknown. Later, when Google released Android 4.4 KitKat, the company gave an 'official' explanation for its OS version naming style: 'Because Android devices make your life sweet. More sweetly, the Android version will be named after a sweet dessert '.

What about the Android logo?

The Android logo is a "hybrid" robot with a green bug.

The logo was so familiar to tech enthusiasts, a green hybrid robot, created by Irina Blok when she was working at Google. She said that the only requirement she got from the Google design team was to create a logo that looked like a robot. Irina also added that the final design was inspired in part by the logos on the door . WC 'Male' and 'Female'.

Why does Google use statues to celebrate Android updates?

As mentioned before, the first version of Android is called Cupcake. When Google unveils its name code every year, the company always arranges a location for a new statue to symbolize that nickname at its Visitors Center in Mountain View, California.

In 2015, YouTube channel Nat and Friends filmed the vlog and revealed that a small art team in New Jersey is working on an annual Android icon design, including the robot logo and the dessert dessert versions. represents each Android version from Cupcake (1.5) to Oreo (8.0).

Android 1.5 Cupcake

This is the first Android version with a code.

This is the first version of Android that has the code, the update opens up more functions and improves performance, including many of the features we consider as "default" today: uploading a video to YouTube , or automatically rotate the screen in the direction the user rotates the device, or supports third-party keyboards.

Android 1.6 Donut

Donut also introduced Power Control widget to manage Wifi, Bluetooth, etc.

Google quickly released Android 1.6 Donut in September 2009, some new features are available on Donut including support for operators using CDMA networks, allowing Android phones to be sold at all of the carriers. Global.

Other features include Quick Search Box, quick switch between Camera, Camcorder and Gallery to optimize recording / shooting experience. Donut also introduced Power Control widget to manage Wifi, Bluetooth, etc.

Android 2.0-2.1 Eclair

This version introduces Text-to-Speech, the same animated wallpaper and supports multi-account login.

In October 2009, about a year after Android 1.0, Google released Android 2.0 codenamed Eclair (a French-made pastry with an oblong shape and an ice cream inside). This version introduces Text-to-Speech, the same animated wallpaper and supports multi-account login. And yet, Eclair also offers directions to Google Maps with many other features and improvements.

The Motorola Droid is the first smartphone to pre-install Android 2.0 since its launch, the Droid also marks the first Android smartphone sold by Verizon Wireless network operator. Google used the name 'Android' for its operating system, but for Motorola, the company had to pay Lucasfilm - a film company in charge of producing popular Star Wars movies from the time of 'Droid'. that reminds me so much of Lucasfilm's Star Wars series. Motorola then continued to use the name Droid until the end of 2016.

Android 2.2 Froyo

Android 2.2 Froyo marks the birth of the first Google-branded smartphone.

Launched in May 2010, Android 2.2 Froyo (short for 'frozen yogurt' - ice yogurt) offers Wi-fi playback, push notifications and Android Cloud to Device Messaging (C2DM), flash support, etc .

Android 2.2 Froyo marked the birth of the first Google-branded smartphone, the Nexus One - launched with Android 2.1 but quickly received the OTA update to Froyo 2.2 later that year. This milestone marks a new approach for Google, with the company getting closer than ever to HTC manufacturers to showcase the power of the original Android (Android is not customized by third-party manufacturers). ).

Android 2.3 Gingerbread

Google statistics that only 0.6% of Android smartphones are running this version.

Android 2.3 launched in September 2010 and is currently the oldest version still in the Google update list. As of September 13, 2017, Google statistics that only 0.6% of Android smartphones are running this version.

Gingerbread version witnessed a major change in the user interface, along with support for near-range NFC communication technology. The first phone with Gingerbread and NFC is the Nexus S, which is a product of a handshake between Google and Samsung. Gingerbread also laid the foundation for selfie, by supporting multiple cameras and video chat with Google Talk.

Android 3.0 Honeycomb

This is considered the most 'crazy' Android version of Google.

This is considered the most 'crazy' Android version of Google. Honeycomb was released only for tablets and large screen mobile devices. This OS was first introduced in February 2011, along with the Motorola Xoom tablet, including a more professionally redesigned interface for large-size screens, along with the notification bar located at the bottom of the device screen. , etc.

The idea of ​​Honeycomb is to provide more inherently inefficient functions on the small screens of smartphones at the time. This is also considered Google's answer to Apple's launch of the iPad. Even so, even after Honeycomb has been released, the number of tablets still installs Android versions for the 2.x smartphone from before. Finally, Honeycomb proved excessive and eventually Google decided to integrate all the features of Honeycomb to Android 4.0.

Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich

ICS combines many features of tablet from Honeycomb with the same smartphone trend of Gingerbread.

Launched in October 2011, Ice Cream Sandwich added a host of new features to users. ICS combines many features of tablet from Honeycomb with the same smartphone trend of Gingerbread. Ice Cream Sandwich also allows unlocking the phone by using a camera to take a picture of the owner (yes, Galaxy S8 is not the first smartphone with face unlock, this feature has been available on Android since 2011). .

A noticeable change of ICS is support for on-screen navigation keys, swipe gestures to clear notifications and tabs on the browser, and finally the ability to manage the amount of user data used via 3G and WIFI.

Android 4.1 Jelly Bean

Marked the birth with the Nexus 7 tablet produced by Asus.

Regarding the interface, there are not many changes compared to Android 4.0, still the main screen with the familiar dock below. The appearance of Google Now shows that Google has begun to step into competing with Siri.

On Android 4.1 you can search by voice and pay results are not simply search lines but are designed in the form of graphics cards, smarter, more intuitive. Not just search on demand. But perhaps most importantly, Jelly Bean is not about a new interface or application, but about Project Butter that helps bring unprecedented smoothness to Android.

Android 4.2 Jelly Bean

On October 30, 2012, Google officially announced its Android operating system update to version 4.2 and remains the same name "Jelly Bean" (meaning marshmallows). Called "a new flavor of Jelly Bean", Android 4.2 brings with it many new features such as Miracast support, keyboard input by drawing lines from one character to another, processing Photo Sphere panorama shooting, new Gmail application and many more.

A big and important improvement of Android 4.2 is the support of multiple user accounts on tablets so that it can be easily shared in the home or workplace. Each account will have their own app data. For example, user A installs Angry Birds game, this player plays and scored some points as well as getting higher screen. When the B user uses the device with another account, this game is still present on the computer but in the form of a new installment, there is no data available for A.

Android 4.3 Jelly Bean

Another generation of Jelly Bean and this time Android 4.3. On 24/7/2013, Google officially launched this operating system in parallel with the Nexus 7 (2013). This is the latest Android version available in the market and comes with new features such as support for Bluetooth Smart connectivity, OpenGL ES 3.0 API set, additional features to use Wi-Fi to locate even when people Turn off this connection with many other small and big changes.

Besides the Multi User feature of Android 4.2 as mentioned above, Google added a new feature to Android 4.3 that is Restricted Profile. Each member will have a "profile" of his own and can only do what is specified in the "profile". For example, parents can lock in-app purchase features of an application to prevent children from accidentally buying hundreds of dollars. In addition, when applied to the enterprise environment, it will allow administrators to delegate to employees more easily.

Android 4.4 Kitkat

The next generation of Android is Android 4.4 and is no longer called Jelly Bean but called KitKat. If you don't know, KitKat is a chocolate-filled sponge cake from Nestle. This naming scheme perfectly matches the alphabetical order that Android versions use as code names.

Google added: "Our goal with Android KitKat is to bring an amazing Android experience to everyone." Android Kitkat first appeared on Nexus smartphone 5. Improvements on Android Kitkat including Full Screen Mode - Immersive Mode, Screen Transition Effects -Transition Manager, Storage Access Framework, Chromium WebView, NFC, Pink Portal Infrared Blasters .

Interface: The main theme of the blue and black font used on Android Jelly Bean is changed by Google in black tones and recorded on Android 4.4 Kitkat just released, clearly shown in the text in the notification bar. Notification. Besides, Android Kitkat also has a new set of icons and folders, the interface is generally flattened, removes shadow details and adds transparent effects to many parts, such as three virtual movies below or the bar. newspaper above.

Although the new version, Android 4.4 Kitkat does not require stronger hardware configuration, even support the old devices with low hardware, such as RAM with 512 MB capacity. The new operating system was optimized by Google for performance, giving it a higher performance of 1.6 times the previous version.

Android 5.0 Lollipop

After more than a year of Android 4.0 KitKat launch, Google has officially released the latest descendant version called Android Lollipop, which is rated as the operating system with the most significant and significant changes in Android history from so far.

New "Material" design : Android's new graphic language is inspired by nature, physics and bold style, printing-like shadows. In other words, it is a design based on the characteristics of the paper.

Other features have also been improved such as a completely new reminder design, 64-bit chip support and improved battery life.

Android 6.0 Marshmallow

On October 5, 2015, Google introduced users to the next version of Android with Marshmallow code (marshmallows) with minor changes in this update, but tend to improve user interaction, for a better experience.

In terms of the user interface, the main screen on Android M seems to have little change compared to the previous version except the Google logo, but when you go to the Application Menu you can see a lot of changes. The applications are arranged and scrolled vertically, at the top is the search bar and there is an interesting point that the machine will automatically suggest you 4 apps to use depending on the location you are in. .

New feature Now on Tap : when the screen of any application (eg web browser) is displaying information, you can hold the home button and the machine will start "scanning" the information being displayed. on the screen, send it to Google and Google will respond to you with useful information and suggestions. Integrating Google in this way increases the user experience to a new level.

More energy saving : When not in use, Android phones burn batteries quite a lot compared to other operating system phones. Google has released the Doze mode to solve this phone standby battery problem. When your computer is not in use, Doze mode will be activated and will work a little like when you turn on Airplane mode on your phone: no connection, no notification, no running applications takes place in this process to ensure the machine is in the state of maximum energy savings possible. Only some important messages such as calls, alarms, and messages can be displayed in this Doze state.

In addition, Android 6. also gives users some new features such as using external SD card as internal memory or officially supporting fingerprint identification and Google Pay.

Android 7.0 Nougat

Android 7.0 Nougat was launched by Google on August 22, 2016 and Nexus devices will be the first smartphones to be updated to this new version. The official name of Android 7.0 has been confirmed by Google, which is a traditional candy called Nougat.

Android 7.0 supports a number of significant new features such as:

Support Menu quick switch between system settings: A hamburger menu (horizontal 3-tile icon) has been added to the System settings. For example, when you are in the Bluetooth settings section you can quickly jump to other system settings using this left menu.

Quick reply to messages from the notification bar: In the new additions, this is a new feature and quite similar to Apple's iOS operating system. Messages can be answered quickly from the notification itself. With this feature users do not need to leave the current application to reply to a message or even unlock the phone.

Screen split mode: Finally, Google has added features to Android 7.0, this is a feature that you often see on tablets, phones of Samsung or LG. Users can split the screen into two parts, using two parallel applications at the same time. And you can also choose the window size for each application by dragging the black bar between the two apps left or right, up or down.

The notification center is refreshed: The notification center has been redesigned by google. Icons, shortcuts in the notification bar are more compact and stand out, you can expand the shortcuts with the arrow keys on the left corner of the screen. The general notifications from an application are now optimized to be combined into a single line and you can expand using the arrow buttons or manipulate 2 fingers. Help optimize the space in the notification center.

There are also some notable features such as: support virtual reality mode with VR, built-in data saving mode, improved Doze battery saving mode .

Android 8.1 Oreo

On the 28th, Google released a second preview of Android 8.1 Oreo with some noticeable improvements. The new version of the first major Android operating system will come with Google's Pixel phone, especially the newly released Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL.

The battery management interface has undergone many small improvements and will better monitor applications that consume battery power. Currently, the interface has also shown us applications that are consuming more energy. Also with Android 8.1 Oreo, an alert will be sent to users with details of the battery usage of the application. This notification will appear in the notification bar and on the lock screen.

Google is optimizing some details of the Android Oreo interface . This system can get darker colors on the main menu, widget and Dock center when a black wallpaper is applied.

Optimized for models with 1GB of RAM : It's a bit daring to say that 1GB model will get Android 8.1 Oreo and Google is trying its best. It turns out that Google is working to allow smartphones to be part of Android Go with only 1GB of RAM. Of course, these software versions will be simpler but still ensure the device performance is not affected overall.

Besides, Android 8.1 Oreo brings the following improvements:

1. A new calendar widget.
2. Install control center slightly transparent.
3. The 'Gestures' are emphasized in system settings.
4. You can see the battery level of Bluetooth accessories connected to the system.
5. Improve the system for automatically filling in passwords.
6. The restart menu has been redesigned,
7. The "Help and Support" section has been redesigned.