Android Versions and Updates

A quick guide to the versions and updates Android [Android]

If someone tells you that you are running Android, do not say as much as you think. Unlike the computer operating system, Android is an operating system that encompasses numerous large versions and platforms. Understanding the constellation of the options can be a bit overwhelming, but that does not have to be the case. If you want a quick and easy to understand many of Android is based, as well as how to upgrade to the latest, read on.

The fragmentation of the season

Although Google's mobile operating system has been a success, has been affected by a unique problem, but serious. This is fragmentation - the tendency of Android to fragment into many versions.

This is why retailers and companies often market-based devices the version of Android they carry. The latest version for smartphones has been for months, but is not available on many phones sold in stores. Then you have tablets, which are a completely different situation.

Let's run quickly through Android updates sold today.

Android 1.x

Android 1.0 was announced on September 23, 2008 on the HTC Dream (known as the G1 in the U.S.). Long gone, but there are still some devices sold using Android 1.6. These are usually tablets or cheap budget smartphones like the LG Optimus GT540. This construction is significantly out of date. Despite androids including basic concepts, like the market, and Widgets, which lacks support for many functions of the camera, do not have Adobe Flash or HTML5 support, and lacks support for newer versions of Bluetooth.

Avoid Android 1.6 devices is wise. It may be tempting to save money on a smartphone or tablet product to go running this version of Android, but ultimately not worth saving.

Android 2.x

This is the last line of updates for Android smartphones with the latest Android build is 2.3. Most smart phones sold today run Android 2.2 or 2.3.

Despite 2.0/2.1 is an improvement over the 1.x builds, you definitely want to buy something with 2.2 or higher. Why? Because it is when the Adobe Flash support has been added, and is also where the functionality of WiFi access point was added. In addition, the latest revision of Android Marketplace Android 2.2 or higher required.

Android 2.3 is the latest edition, and includes some nifty extras, such as native support for VoIP and a new download manager. Although not an essential feature, the purchase of a smartphone with the latest version certainly will not hurt.

Android 3.x

Also known by the codename honeycomb, this version is only available for Android tablets and probably never will be published in smartphones. If you are buying a tablet, this is the Android version you want. Accept no imitations!

Honeycomb interface is very different from other versions of Android, and major items such as keyboard, the notification system and web browser has been redesigned to take advantage of larger screens are on the tablets.

Android 3.1 is the latest version, but it is a major upgrade. Adds support for peripherals such as external keyboards and gamepads and makes some minor changes in the user interface.

Android device update

With the above information will be better equipped to buy a new Android device, but what if you already have one and want to update to the latest version?

Unfortunately, it is not as simple as downloading a file and installing a patch. The new versions of Android smartphones distributed in a device by device. In other words, the release of Android 2.3 is not a user to download directly from Google. Instead, the update, if available for Android, would be handed over to run Software Update through the Setup menu. With that said, may be able to upgrade to a new version of Android without official support to eradicate the phone and install a ROM based on a newer version. The process of doing this can be laborious and is usually different for each device, so it is advisable to consult the XDA developers forum and search for information about your device.

Conclusion

Personally, I think Google should do a better job of reducing fragmentation in the future. The wide variety of wild running Android updates is out of control. At least, could provide an official guide for users who require access to information about the version of the Android device is running and what that means. I'm not holding my breath - but a geek can wait forever. What do you think?