The Evolution of Android: A 10-Year Retrospective

As we mark the 10th anniversary of Android, it's hard to believe that this mobile operating system has become the number one choice for smartphone users worldwide. Over the years, Android has undergone significant transformations, and its features have revolutionized the way we interact with our devices.

**Quick Settings: A Game-Changer**

At number five on our list of the best features of Android is Quick Settings. Introduced to give users a quick and easy way to access important settings like Wi-Fi or mobile data, this feature has been a game-changer for Android users. By swiping from the top of the screen, users can quickly toggle these settings without having to navigate through the settings app. Long pressing on these settings brings even more choices, making it an incredibly convenient feature. It's hard to imagine how frustrating it must have been to have to constantly switch between apps just to adjust Wi-Fi or airplane mode.

**Battery Saver: A Game-Changer for Power Users**

Coming in at number four is Battery Saver, a feature that has become an essential tool for power users. Introduced way back in the Lollipop days, this feature allows users to quickly conserve battery life when needed. With larger batteries becoming more widespread over the years, Battery Saver has proven to be incredibly useful. By implementing this feature, Android has made it easy for users to extend their phone's usage without worrying about running out of juice.

**Variety: The Power of Free and Open-Source**

At number three is variety, thanks to Android's free and open-source nature. This allows anyone to build their own version of Android if they see fit. In fact, Amazon has even created a customized version of Android for its Fire tablets. Moreover, the availability of different sized and priced Android phones means that users have never been more spoiled for choice. Without Android, it's hard to imagine how limited our options would be when it comes to choosing a smartphone.

**Notification Management: A Well-Designed System**

Number two on our list is notification management, which has always been well-designed in the Android ecosystem. Remembering the T-Mobile G1 event where notifications were first introduced, it was clear that this feature was going to be a hit. Over the years, Android notifications have only improved, with features like replying to notifications without launching another app and swipe-down notifications for more information. These additions have made it easier than ever to manage notifications on an Android device.

**Homogenous Hardware: A Problem of the Past**

Unfortunately, one of the worst things about Android in the past has been homogenous hardware designs. In the early days, we saw some pretty unusual devices with features like hardware keyboards and dual screens. While those designs may seem quirky now, they're certainly a far cry from the sleek and modern designs that dominate the market today.

**The Future of Tablets: A Diminished Role**

Another area where Android has struggled is in the world of tablets. Once considered an essential device for many users, Android tablets have largely fallen by the wayside due to the rise of larger smartphones. With screens becoming bigger and more powerful over the years, it's become easier than ever to use a smartphone as a tablet replacement.

**The Frustration of Updates: A Constant Source of Anxiety**

One of the most frustrating aspects of using an Android device is the update cycle. When new versions of Android are released, users often find themselves waiting for their manufacturer to release updates for their specific device. This can be a long and arduous process, leaving developers unable to take full advantage of new features until their device is upgraded.

**Customization: The Ultimate Power**

And finally, at number one on our list is customization – the ultimate power that Android users love so much. Thanks to Android's open-source nature, users can change just about anything on their device to suit their needs. From changing the launcher to installing custom widgets, the possibilities are endless. As Risto C once said, "Want a different keyboard? Change the launcher." It's this level of flexibility that has made Android so appealing to power users.

**Widgets: The Final Touch**

Last but not least, we have widgets – a feature that allows users to customize their home screen with information and apps at their fingertips. With Android, users can place widgets anywhere on their device, making it easy to access the information they need without having to navigate through menus. It's this level of control that has made Android so popular among power users.

As we look back on the past decade, it's clear that Android has come a long way. From its humble beginnings as an open-source operating system to its current status as the number one choice for smartphone users worldwide, Android has revolutionized the way we interact with our devices. Whether you're a seasoned power user or just looking for a reliable and feature-rich smartphone, Android is sure to deliver.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enthese are the best features of Android ever can you believe Android is now 10 years old well you should because it's true over the years Android phones have overtaken every other competitor to become the number one mobile operating system by market share worldwide let's look back and see what has been so great about Android in the past 10 years number 5 is quick settings swipe from the top of the screen and Android gave you the option of toggling important settings like Wi-Fi or mobile data long pressing the setting brings you even more choices could you imagine having to call up the Settings app every time you wanted to mess with Wi-Fi or airplane mode that was a reality on certain non Android phones for a very long time coming in at number four is battery saver it's really easy to wind up using your phone for everything then you realize you need your phone alive for something really really important and you have no charging Android added a battery saver mode to the operating system way back in the lollipop days and it's incredibly useful thankfully batteries have gotten bigger over the 10 years Android has been around with battery saver you can get a lot of usage from your phone number three is variety because Android is free and open source anyone can build their own version of Android if they see fit Amazon fire tablets run a customized version of Android there are also a ton of different sized and priced Android phones without Android would be stuck when it comes to options number two is notification management from the get-go Android notifications have been well managed I remember seeing the notification trade being pulled down at the t-mobile g1 event years ago I thought it was a great idea on top of that notifications have improved over the years by adding functionality you can reply from notifications without launching another app swipe down on an email notification to get more information you can even change settings for notifications within the notification before we get to number one let's talk about the worst things about Android over the years homogenous Asian of handsets in the early days of Android we saw some weird crazy things remember when Android phones featured Hardware keyboards two screens these days so many phones have moved to the notches lab form factor apart from BlackBerry tablets Android tablets are not officially dead but this should be Android tablet apps are generally awful then again with Android phones getting larger in a short amount of time a large screen Android phone pretty much eliminates the need for a tablet and the most frustrating part about Android is updates what the latest version of Android when it comes out you've got some very limited options arguably Samsung makes the best Android phones due to a number of reasons updates take a long time to reach Samsung phones that also means that developers may not be able to take full advantage of Android features for a while back to the bright side and the number one best thing about Android ever is customization for the most part you can make your Android phone behave however you want I think Risto C on Twitter said it best quote want a different keyboard sure change the launcher you've got it different assistant at like Cortana or Amazon done like a honey badger Android don't care well stated wrists OC also don't forget Android lets you have widgets pretty much anywhere you want your Android phone is yours to mess with and that is great they leave anything out let me know am i as apt I'll see you onlinethese are the best features of Android ever can you believe Android is now 10 years old well you should because it's true over the years Android phones have overtaken every other competitor to become the number one mobile operating system by market share worldwide let's look back and see what has been so great about Android in the past 10 years number 5 is quick settings swipe from the top of the screen and Android gave you the option of toggling important settings like Wi-Fi or mobile data long pressing the setting brings you even more choices could you imagine having to call up the Settings app every time you wanted to mess with Wi-Fi or airplane mode that was a reality on certain non Android phones for a very long time coming in at number four is battery saver it's really easy to wind up using your phone for everything then you realize you need your phone alive for something really really important and you have no charging Android added a battery saver mode to the operating system way back in the lollipop days and it's incredibly useful thankfully batteries have gotten bigger over the 10 years Android has been around with battery saver you can get a lot of usage from your phone number three is variety because Android is free and open source anyone can build their own version of Android if they see fit Amazon fire tablets run a customized version of Android there are also a ton of different sized and priced Android phones without Android would be stuck when it comes to options number two is notification management from the get-go Android notifications have been well managed I remember seeing the notification trade being pulled down at the t-mobile g1 event years ago I thought it was a great idea on top of that notifications have improved over the years by adding functionality you can reply from notifications without launching another app swipe down on an email notification to get more information you can even change settings for notifications within the notification before we get to number one let's talk about the worst things about Android over the years homogenous Asian of handsets in the early days of Android we saw some weird crazy things remember when Android phones featured Hardware keyboards two screens these days so many phones have moved to the notches lab form factor apart from BlackBerry tablets Android tablets are not officially dead but this should be Android tablet apps are generally awful then again with Android phones getting larger in a short amount of time a large screen Android phone pretty much eliminates the need for a tablet and the most frustrating part about Android is updates what the latest version of Android when it comes out you've got some very limited options arguably Samsung makes the best Android phones due to a number of reasons updates take a long time to reach Samsung phones that also means that developers may not be able to take full advantage of Android features for a while back to the bright side and the number one best thing about Android ever is customization for the most part you can make your Android phone behave however you want I think Risto C on Twitter said it best quote want a different keyboard sure change the launcher you've got it different assistant at like Cortana or Amazon done like a honey badger Android don't care well stated wrists OC also don't forget Android lets you have widgets pretty much anywhere you want your Android phone is yours to mess with and that is great they leave anything out let me know am i as apt I'll see you online\n"