android.md

description
https://www.android.com/what-is-android

Android

What is Android?

The platform changing what mobile can do. When a device goes from just working to actually making life easier, Android is behind it. It’s the reason your GPS avoids traffic, your watch can text and your Assistant can answer questions. It’s the operating system inside 2.5 billion active devices. Everything from 5G phones to stunning tablets, Android powers them all.

Android is open to everyone: developers, designers and device makers. That means more people can experiment, imagine and create things the world has never seen.

When you have Android, you have security that’s right there out of the box and never stops working. Google Play Protect scans all your apps, the software gets regular security updates and the platform is always improving. It’s like a security guard that never takes a break, a nap or a vacation.

On Android, you get to decide when and if your data is shared, like your Web & App Activity or Location History. If an app accesses your location while you are not using it, you’ll get a notification. And if you ever want to change permissions, all your Privacy settings are in one place. It’s privacy, with you in the driver’s seat.

With Digital Wellbeing, you get the tools to understand how you use your phone and decide what works for you. Whether that means unplugging, cutting down distractions or just winding down before bed.

The dashboard is a great example. It gives you a snapshot of your screen time, notifications, how often you unlock your phone and more. And it’s just one of the many tools you get with Digital Wellbeing.

Everyone has their own way of using their devices. That’s why we build accessible features and products that work for the various ways people want to experience the world. Screen readers, sound mufflers, even AR walking guides. Because when it comes to technology, there’s no one-size-fits all.

Platform codenames, versions, API levels, and NDK releases

This table lists codenames, their corresponding version numbers, and associated API levels. (source table from https://source.android.com)

Codename	Version	API level/NDK release
Android12	12	API level 31
Android11	11	API level 30
Android10	10	API level 29
Pie	9	API level 28
Oreo	8.1.0	API level 27
Oreo	8.0.0	API level 26
Nougat	7.1	API level 25
Nougat	7.0	API level 24
Marshmallow	6.0	API level 23
Lollipop	5.1	API level 22
Lollipop	5.0	API level 21
KitKat	4.4 - 4.4.4	API level 19
Jelly Bean	4.3.x	API level 18
Jelly Bean	4.2.x	API level 17
Jelly Bean	4.1.x	API level 16
Ice Cream Sandwich	4.0.3 - 4.0.4	API level 15, NDK 8
Ice Cream Sandwich	4.0.1 - 4.0.2	API level 14, NDK 7
Honeycomb	3.2.x	API level 13
Honeycomb	3.1	API level 12, NDK 6
Honeycomb	3.0	API level 11
Gingerbread	2.3.3 - 2.3.7	API level 10
Gingerbread	2.3 - 2.3.2	API level 9, NDK 5
Froyo	2.2.x	API level 8, NDK 4
Eclair	2.1	API level 7, NDK 3
Eclair	2.0.1	API level 6
Eclair	2.0	API level 5
Donut	1.6	API level 4, NDK 2
Cupcake	1.5	API level 3, NDK 1
(no codename)	1.1	API level 2
(no codename)	1.0	API level 1