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Cupcake to Jelly Bean: Android OS

Posted at 11:37 PM, Sep 27, 2012
and last updated 2012-09-27 23:39:19-04

What version of Android do you have?  It’s not always something you can answer right away.  But just like the iPhone’s iOS 1/2/3/4/5 & now 6 – Android also has a hierarchy of operating systems.

Most Android users are likely still on Gingerbread.  That’s Android version 2.3.x.  If you’re curious to know here’s how. Open your app drawer and click the Settings app. Scroll down to “About phone” and click it. You’ll see a lot of stuff here, but you’re looking for Android version. 

android version

Google’s first version of Android back in 2009 was Cupcake, version 1.5.  1.6 was Donut. 2.0/2.1 Éclair. Froyo was next with 2.2, followed by Gingerbread 2.3.x.  Honeycomb was 3.x.x. Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0.x and most recently Jelly Bean, 4.1.x.

Now you may ask why Google chose tasty treats to name them…I don’t know. But it’s kind of fun in my book.  Each version has seen certain updates improving your experience.  But with so many companies making phones running Android, it’s tough making sure they’re all on the same system.  It leads to some intense fragmentation.  And that can be very frustrating when you hear about all the great new things and you’re still on an older version.

So what Android phone do you have?  And what version of Android are you running?  Let me know here in the comments or on Twitter. @Doctor_Droid