Android Lollipop:
Android 5.0 Lollipop was launched on November 12, 2014, and debuted on the Nexus 6, from Google’s now discontinued line of smartphones. This time, a particular period of time was required to process newly downloaded applications before they were opened. A mode called ‘Dose Mode’ was introduced to shut down background applications if they were no longer used to save the device’s battery. It supported a 64 bit CPU, and an additional 15 languages were added to the system’s interface.
Android Marshmallow:
Android 6.0 Marshmallow was launched on May 28, 2015. Some of its new changes and features included a new scrolling main menu for applications, support for fingerprint unlocking, USB support, the Android Pay application, a new memory manager and the ability to set the volume for device, media and alarms separately.
Android Nougat:
Android 7.0 Nougat was launched on August 22, 2016. It came with multitasking features for devices with larger screens. This came in the form of Multi-window mode, where one could use more than one app simultaneously. The Google Now app was replaced with the Google Assistant, still activated by the ‘Ok, Google’ command.
Android 8.0 Oreo was launched on March 21, 2017 and had a series of visual changes in the Settings Menu, and picture-in-picture support, where one could view multimedia on a minimized screen while using other applications. Notifications could be disabled from applications of choice and sorted according to importance. The art style for emoticons were also made consistent with all platforms they were used in.
Android Pie:
Android 9.0 Pie was launched on December 5, 2017 and had many improvements visually. The traditional navigation buttons were removed in lieu of a single virtual button, which was now the start button. Swiping up on that button showed the previous applications used, a search bar and suggestions on which apps to use next. It brought improvements to battery life and perfected the do not disturb mode, through a feature called ‘Shush”, which automatically turned the phone off when it was placed on a flat surface.
Android 10:
With Android 10, released on September 3, 2019, Google discontinued the themed naming system, and introduced a new color scheme for Android. It removed the navigation buttons in favor of gestures. Dark Mode was now available in the system and users had more control over permissions for notifications, access to camera and galleries for apps. This was the first Android version to support foldable smartphones, which are one of the latest innovations in the field.
Android 11:
Android 11 was released on September 8, 2020. This time, the user can interact with a notification directly from the notification bar without having to open the application to access it. Google has also created new methods of protecting user data, by allowing the user to accept or decline permissions to an application each time of use.
Android 12:
Android 12 is the current and latest version, released on October 4th 2021. It has features such as easier WiFi sharing, capturing Scrolling Screenshots, reducing brightness beyond the minimum level, bolder font, a Greyscale color scheme and several performance improvements to improve transitions, power efficiency and reduce app startup timing.
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