Android 2.0/2.1 Eclair features

On 26 October 2009, the Android 2.0 SDK – codenamed Eclair – was released, based on Linux kernel 2.6.29.^[22] Changes included:^[23]

• Expanded Account sync, allowing multiple accounts to be added to a device for email and contact synchronization
• Exchange email support, with combined inbox to browse email from multiple accounts in one page
• Bluetooth 2.1 support
• Ability to tap a Contacts photo and select to call, SMS, or email the person
• Ability to search all saved SMS and MMS messages, with delete oldest messages in a conversation automatically deleted when a defined limit is reached
• Numerous new camera features, including flash support, digital zoom, scene mode, white balance, color effect and macro focus
• Improved typing speed on virtual keyboard, with smarter dictionary that learns from word usage and includes contact names as suggestions
• Refreshed browser UI with bookmark thumbnails, double-tap zoom and support for HTML5
• Calendar agenda view enhanced, showing attending status for each invitee, and ability to invite new guests to events
• Optimized hardware speed and revamped UI
• Support for more screen sizes and resolutions, with better contrast ratio
• Improved Google Maps 3.1.2
• MotionEvent class enhanced to track multi-touch events
• Addition of live wallpapers, allowing Home screen background images to be animated to show movement

2.0.1

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.

2.1

The 2.1 SDK was released on 12 January 2010.^[26] It was a minor platform release deployable to Android-powered handsets, including minor amendments to the API and bug fixes.

Android 1.6 Donut features

On 15 September 2009, the Android 1.6 SDK – dubbed Donut – was released, based on Linux kernel 2.6.29.^[19][20][21] Included in the update were numerous new features:^[19]

• Voice and text entry search enhanced to include bookmark history, contacts, and the web
• Ability for developers to include their content in search results
• Multi-lingual speech synthesis engine to allow any Android application to "speak" a string of text
• Easier searching and ability to view app screenshots in Android Market
• Gallery, camera and camcorder more fully integrated, with faster camera access
• Ability for users to select multiple photos for deletion
• Updated technology support for CDMA/EVDO, 802.1x, VPNs, and a text-to-speech engine
• Support for WVGA screen resolutions
• Speed improvements in searching and camera applications
• Expanded Gesture framework and new GestureBuilder development tool
• Free Google-powered turn-by-turn navigation

Android 1.5 Cupcake features

On 30 April 2009, the Android 1.5 update, dubbed Cupcake, was released, based on Linux kernel 2.6.27.^[15][16] The update included several new features and UI amendments:^[17]

• Support for third-party virtual keyboards with text prediction and user dictionary for custom words
• Support for Widgets - miniature application views that can be embedded in other applications (such as the Home screen) and receive periodic updates^[18]
• Video recording and playback in MPEG-4 and 3GP formats
• Auto-pairing and stereo support for Bluetooth added (A2DP and AVRCP profiles)
• Copy and paste features added to web browser
• User pictures shown for Favorites in Contacts
• Specific date/time stamp shown for events in call log, and one-touch access to a contact card from call log event
• Animated screen transitions
• Ability to upload videos to YouTube
• Ability to upload photos to Picasa

Android 1.1 features

On 9 February 2009, the Android 1.1 update was released, initially for the T-Mobile G1 only. The update resolved bugs, changed the API and added a number of other features:^[14]

• Details and reviews available when a user searches for businesses on Maps
• Longer in-call screen timeout default when using the speakerphone, plus ability to show/hide dialpad
• Ability to save attachments in messages
• Support added for marquee in system layouts

Android 1.0 features

Android 1.0, the first commercial version of the software, was released on 23 September 2008.^[6] The first Android device, the HTC Dream (G1),^[7] incorporated the following Android 1.0 features:

• Android Market application download and updates through the Market app
• Web browser to show, zoom and pan full HTML and XHTML web pages – multiple pages show as windows ("cards")^[8][9]
• Camera support – however this version lacked the option to change the camera's resolution, white balance, quality, etc.^[10]
• Folders allowing the grouping of a number of app icons into a single folder icon on the Home screen.^[11]
• Access to web email servers, supporting POP3, IMAP4, and SMTP.^[9]
• Gmail synchronization with the Gmail app
• Google Contacts synchronization with the People app
• Google Calendar synchronization with the Calendar app
• Google Maps with Latitude and Street View to view maps and satellite imagery, as well as find local business and obtain driving directions using GPS^[10]
• Google Sync, allowing management of over-the-air synchronization of Gmail, People, and Calendar
• Google Search, allowing users to search the Internet and phone apps, contacts, calendar, etc
• Google Talk instant messaging
• Instant messaging, text messaging, and MMS
• Media Player, enabling management, importing, and playback of media files – however, this version lacked video and stereo Bluetooth support^[9][10]
• Notifications appear in the Status bar, with options to set ringtone, LED or vibration alerts^[8][9][12]
• Voice Dialer allows dialing and placing of phone calls without typing a name or number^[9]
• Wallpaper allows the user to set the background image or photo behind the Home screen icons and widgets
• YouTube video player^[13]
• Other apps include: Alarm Clock, Calculator, Dialer (Phone), Home screen (launcher), Pictures (Gallery), and Settings.
• Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support
• 

Android different versions and evolution

Android is a mobile operating system and it is originally started by Android inc. Later in 2005 Android is bought by google. This Android mobile OS is a modified version ofLinux kernal. In the second and third quarter of the 2010, Android OS got higher market share. Below are the some of the version of Android OS.

1.Android 1.0: released on 23rd September 2008.
2, Android 1.5:  It is also known as Cupcake. This Android version is based on Linux kernal 2.6.27 and released on 30th April 2009.
3.Android 1.6: This update is names as Donut and this was based on Linuux kernal 2.6.29. This Android OS update released on 15th September 2009.
4.Android 2.0: This version is called as Eclair and based on 2.6.29 linux kernal. This Android update released on 26th October 2009.
5.Android 2,2: This is names as Froyo and this Android is released on 20th May 2010. This version based on 2.6.32.
6. Android 2.3: This version of the Android is the latest one and currently on market. This version of Android is names as Gingerbread. This is released on 6th Dec 2010 and based onlinux kernal 2.6.35.
7. Android 3.0: This is the coming version of Android and released on 26th Jan 2011(Preview). This version of Android names as Honeycomb.
8. Ice cream sandwich:  This version of Android expected to release in mid of 2011.

Difference Between Android 2.1 vs 2.2

Difference Between Android 2.1 vs 2.2

1. Android 2.2 has more speed and performance optimizations

2. Android 2.2 has USB tethering and Wi-Fi hotspot functionality not found in 2.1

3. Android 2.2 allows for app installation to the memory card while 2.1 does not

4. Android 2.2 adds Flash 10.1 support absent in 2.1

5. Android 2.2 has a lot of modified and added APIs

6. Android 2.2 improves support for Microsoft Exchange over 2.1