Cheri writes:
I am confused. I was reading about Android tablets, and it mentioned (Ice Cream Sandwich) operation. What is that?
Thanks for the question Cheri. Most software updates are assigned codes (1.0, 2.0 etc.), and when substantial changes are made, those changes are often designated code names. When Android–an open source project led by Google–began updating their operating systems, they kicked around ideas for names to easily identify significant changes in their system. This would help avoid the confusion brought on by the classifications already in use (1.0-rc30 or 1.1-rc30, for example). It’s rumored that early versions were going to be named in alphabetical order after fictional robots, with Astro Boy and Bender being the first choices. Dessert names were later selected to identify these updates, and “Petit Four” was used by some as a codename for version 1.1. However, the tasty code name associations officially began with version 1.5 in 2009 with Cupcake. Since then, new versions have been assigned similarly appetizing names of desserts (again in alphabetical order). Below is a list of codenames with the corresponding operating systems.
Cupcake 1.5
Donut 1.6
Eclair 2.0 – 2.1
Froyo 2.2
Gingerbread 2.3 – 2.4
Honeycomb 3.0 – 3.2
Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0.1 – 4.0.4
Jelly Bean 4.1
As new codenames are introduced, a plastic model depicting the flavorsome treat, are added to the lawn at Google headquarters in Mountain View California.
Thanks again for the question Cheri.
~Kevin