Did you know that the number of smartphone users worldwide has exceeded 6.7 billion in 2022 ?
However, 98% of smartphones mainly run two operating systems: Android & iOS. With a market share of over 70%, Android has become the world’s largest mobile operating system since its inception in 2008.
After the startup was acquired by Google in 2005, the system was first introduced in June 2007 for touchscreen devices and smartphones, then expanded to several other devices.
Thanks to Google’s unlimited financial resources, Android quickly developed and was able to conquer the market based on a simplistic logo instilling its vision of the future.
But Google’s operating system has not retained the original emblem logo. Over its years of experience, Google has changed its system logo to suit its market. Discover through this article the different Android logos that Google has adopted.
Source : medium
The history of the Android logo
The first version of the operating system, Android 1.0, was released in 2008. But its story began five years earlier, in 2003. The founder, Andy Rubin brought together a team with the ambition of creating an operating system for mobile exploitation, which gave birth to Android Inc.
In 2005, Google acquired the startup Android Inc while continuing to develop the operating system. In 2007, the American giant announced the first phone running Android, the HTC Dream.
To support the launch of the new phone and operating system, Google hired Irina Blok to design a logo.
Irina Blok was inspired by a series of bathroom signs depicting male and female figures, which she adapted to create the logo design.
She and her associates decided to make it an open source logo. This means that any company across the world can modify it according to their preferences.
Later, Blok said of his creation that she was like a child to whom she had given life, and that he must now live his own independent life.
The intended impact of the logo was achieved, thanks to its simple and memorable design. The year 2011 marked the rise of Android as the world’s most popular mobile operating system.
Although it is also used on computers, Android gained popularity after being adopted for touchscreen mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. She revealed that the Android logo was designed to become an international symbol.
Initially, the logo was believed to have been plagiarized from a game character titled Gauntlet: The Third Encounter. However, Irina Blok denied this information. She also indicated that the logo underwent several modifications before being designated as the Android icon.
Source : androidayuda
This is how the unique logo you know today was born. Blok’s design was simple enough to become iconic, attracting a much wider audience than the developer community it was originally intended for.
The meaning of the Android logo
The Android logo is meant to represent the open-source nature of the operating system and its adaptability to different devices. The green color represents growth, progress, uniqueness and the struggle for newness, while the shape of the robot symbolizes technology and innovation.
Since it is an open source logo, it appeared in different ways: covered in various colors, with different facial expressions, etc.
The different Android logos since its creation
Source : douglog
Google executives, concerned about visual identity after announcing the release of the operating system in 2007, wanted a simple logo with a robot as the star of the image.
The Android logo in
Source : 1000logos
In 2008, the first Android logo was designed with two different color schemes. Irina Block presented both options to the company, which ultimately chose the brightest and most easily identifiable, depicting a stylized Android logo in a light green shade.
The logo was designed with clean lines, giving it a modern and accessible look.
The Android logo from 2008 – 2014
Source : 1000logos
Since the logo is open source, at this point, developers and different designers started customizing it.
This is how the black Android logo created by fans was the favorite of users from 2008 to 2019. Android therefore adopted this logo for a certain time.
The Android logo from 2014 – 2019
Source : 1000logos
The 2014 redesign refined the edges of the Android logo, making all creature elements thinner and sharper. So the white details became a little bolder and more visible, and the creature itself – thinner and taller.
The green arc became the main color of Android’s visual identity, but it was also elevated to a more intense and brighter shade, close to grass green.
The Android logo in
Source : 1000logos
The Android logo was redesigned again in 2019. And it was the first time that the graphic image was accompanied by lettering. The emblem has been reduced to the upper part of the robot’s iconic head.
Now the arched fragment with two white eyes and two antennae is placed above the lowercase black wordmark in a simple, but stable sans serif typeface with full traditional outlines of the letters.
Android logo: Wordmark since 2008
Source : logolook
The term “Android” itself means “Human-like robot”. The logo, designed around the concept of a robotic assistant that helps you use your phone, fits the brand perfectly.
Wordmark Android 2008 – 2014
Source : logolook
Wordmark Android 2014 – 2017
Source : logolook
Wordmark Android 2017 – 2019
Source : logolook
Wordmark Android 2019 – present
Source : logolook
History of different Android versions
The Android operating system has been around for exactly two decades and has evolved significantly since its inception. Android source code is freely available to everyone. In short, everyone can use it, transform it and distribute it.
All this has greatly contributed to its rapid evolution with the different versions that follow:
Android 1.0 Apple Pie (2008 – 2010)
The first public release of the Android operating system, known as Android 1.0, was made available on September 23, 2008 on the HTC Dream device.
This version introduced various features, such as the Android Market for downloading and updating applications, as well as Google Talk for instant messaging and YouTube integration.
Source : androidayuda
Android 1.1 Banana Bread (2009 – 2010)
On February 9, 2009, a new version was released to fix some bugs and make minor changes.
Source : androidayuda
Android 1.5 Cupcake (2009 – 2011)
Android version 1.5 was released on April 30, 2009 and was based on Linux kernel 2.6.27. This update includes various additions to the GUI and introduces a number of new features.
Source : androidayuda
Android 1.6 Donut (2009 – 2011)
The software development kit (SDK) for Android 1.6, nicknamed “Donut”, became available on September 15, 2009 and was based on Linux kernel 2.6.29.
The main features of this update are the improvement of the Android Market and the integration of GPS functionality.
Source : androidayuda
Android 2.0 Lightning (2009 – 2011)
The SDK for Android 2.0, released on October 26, 2009, was based on the Linux kernel 2.6.29, the same one used in Donut.
The update brought various improvements such as improved Google Maps, a better virtual keyboard, and the addition of live wallpapers.
Source : androidayuda
Android 2.2 Froyo (2010 – 2012)
The SDK for Android 2.2 was released on May 20, 2010, based on Linux kernel 2.6.32. The update brought a number of features.
Such as the ability to disable mobile data access, support for installing apps on expandable memory, and the ability to zoom photos in the gallery by performing a two-finger pinch gesture.
Source : androidayuda
Android 2.3 Gingerbread (2010 – 2012)
The SDK for Android 2.3 was released on December 6, 2010 and was based on Linux kernel 2.6.35.
The update brought several improvements such as the addition of a download manager and improvements in audio, graphics and game development controls.
Source : androidayuda
Android 3.0 Honeycomb (2011 – 2013)
The release of the Android 3.0 SDK took place on February 22, 2011. This version, based on the Linux kernel 2.6.36, was specially designed for touchscreen tablets.
It comes with a host of interface improvements, including a completely redesigned and optimized touchscreen tablet interface, a three-dimensional desktop with improved widgets, and better camera functionality.
Source : androidayuda
Android 4.0 Sandwich (2011 – 2013)
The Android 4.0 SDK was released on October 19, 2011 and was based on Linux kernel 3.0.1. This new version, designed for both smartphones and touchscreen tablets, has brought significant changes.
The interface now features virtual buttons, which replace physical buttons, and includes native screenshot capabilities. Additionally, a photo editor was added to the mix, and a new typeface called Roboto was introduced.
Source : androidayuda
Android 4.1 Jelly Bean (2012 – 2014)
Google revealed Jelly Bean version 4.1 at its I/O event on June 27, 2012. Based on Linux kernel 3.0.31, the update mainly aims to improve the functionality and capabilities of the user interface.
Source : androidayuda
Android 4.4 KitKat (2013 – present)
Google announced on September 3, 2013 that the next version, 4.4, would be called KitKat. Before that, there was speculation that it would be called Key Lime Pie.
The release date of this version was November 4, 2013, and it introduced several new features such as immersive mode, phone app updates, among others.
Source : androidayuda
Android 5.0 Lollipop (2014 – present)
Announced on October 15, 2014, Android 5.0 Lollipop was released to the public on November 3, 2014. This version of Android marked a significant evolution as it introduced a plethora of new features and changes.
It has also expanded its reach to new devices such as TVs, cars and smartwatches.
Source : androidayuda
Android 6.0 Marshmallow (2015 – present)
In May 2015, near the end of the Google I/O conference, the Mountain View-based tech giant revealed the specifics of Android 6.0. The consumer version was then released in the third quarter of the same year.
Source : androidayuda
Android 7.0 Nougat (2016 – present)
On March 10, 2016, Google revealed the first Developer Preview of Android 7.0, which differs from the usual pattern of releasing the first Developer Previews of previous versions of Android after each Google I/O event.
The initial Developer Preview of Android Nougat was made available on March 10, 2016, before being finalized in August of the same year.
This corresponded with the launch of the LG V20, which was the first Android device to debut with the latest version of the operating system.
Source : androidayuda
Android 8.0 Oreo (2017 – present)
This version was released on August 21, 2017. It was later improved by the following version.
Source : androidayuda
Android 8.1 Oreo (2017 – present)
Here are some of the new features introduced in Android Oreo:
- Limit running of apps in the background to improve battery life and overall system performance.
- Limits on the use of location to improve privacy and security.
- An updated battery optimization strategy and improved battery saving mode.
- Faster boot times, especially on Google Pixel devices.
- Built-in autofill for web browsers to save time entering information.
- Picture-in-picture mode to use certain apps simultaneously, like Google Duo or Messages.
- An updated home screen with the ability to display app badges.
- Modernized emojis with a more contemporary appearance.
Source : androidayuda
Android 9.0 Pie (2018 – present)
On March 7, 2018, Google declared the launch of a new version and also simultaneously released a Developer Preview. Later, on May 4, the second Developer Preview was introduced, considered a beta version. Another beta version was made available on June 6.
On July 2, the third beta version was presented. Google therefore decides to speed up the process. So, in this same month of July, on the date of the 25th, the fifth and final Developer Preview was published.
Finally, on August 6, 2018, the system was officially launched and made accessible on Google Pixel and Essential Phone.
Source : androidayuda
Android 10 Quince tart (2019 – present)
Android 10, codenamed “Q” during development, was released on September 3, 2019. Key features include:
- A RAM boost
- Support for deaf subtitles
- Personalization and digital well-being alternatives.
- Improved privacy protection and authorization system.
- The inclusion of notification bubbles and a built-in screen recording tool.
Source : androidayuda
Android 11 Red velvet cake (2020 – present)
Android 11 is the 11th significant iteration of the Android operating system. On February 19, 2020, Google made the initial announcement and the first development build was released the same day.
Source : androidayuda
Android 12 Snow cone (2021 – present)
Android 12 operating system, which is currently the most widely used Android operating system worldwide, was released on February 18, 2021, the same day it was announced.
Source : androidayuda
Android 13 Tiramisu (2022 – present)
Android 13 is the 13th version of the Android mobile operating system, created by the Open Handset Alliance led by Google. Currently, the Google Pixel 7 and 7 Pro are the first devices to release with Android 13.
Source : androidayuda
The components of the Android logo
The form
A quadrangular body, a semi-circular head topped with two antennas and limb-shaped bars with rounded edges constitute the fundamental elements of the robotic figure of the Android logo.
Irina Blok came up with this symbol because her boss recommended that she include a robot in the logo. Ultimately, the team chose to use a robot-shaped logo with a muscular body and a head resembling an inverted bowl.
Fonts and colors
The Android logo font was changed from complex to simple in order to make the lettering clear and understandable. The designers of Android’s latest logo chose a sans-serif font suitable for display on any screen size.
Although similar to the Montreal Serial Medium font, the lower letters of this font have slight curves. For the current logo, there has also been an update to the green color (#3DDC84).
The designers have also provided users with numerous color palettes for preference.
Free PNG
Several websites, including PNGitem.com And PNGfind.com, offer free PNG versions of the Android logo. However, be sure to check the license and terms of use before using any of these images.
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In summary
The Android logo is a human-looking green robot with a round head, a body with two arms, and two legs.
Android has an open source logo which continues to evolve with the introduction of new versions. However, its brand identity still remains legendary in popularity. Have you made a decision regarding the development of your brand’s visual identity? This blog is a great source to help you understand the basics of designing a hugely successful brand like Android.
