How often does android have a big change?

[acsurfer]

I am using 4.4.2 Android version and it is the first time i am using android. I am wondering whatever that I have learned now would it be relevant/similar in the coming future android versions?

(Analogy using windows as example: What I mean is example windows 7, windows XP are similar style so whatever I learned in windows XP is useful to windows 7 since windows 7 similar to previous version.)

 

[zorak950]

There's no absolute schedule, and it's definitely slowed down as Android has matured. I'd peg the big UI changes thus far as Gingerbread (12-2010), Ice Cream Sandwich (10-2011), and Lollipop (11-2014). My assumption is that the current basic UI design will last at least a few years, but that's just an educated guess.

 

[rews]

For me the hallmark changes to android the last few years were gingerbread to ICS, the introduction of Project Butter, the launch of Google Now, and lollipop. I think it's probably a safe bet with a major refresh like 5.0 that Google will probably take the same path they did with jellybean and work on refining lollipop for the next 2 years

 

[zorak950]

Butter didn't really change the OS interface, though: it was all under-the-hood improvements. Google Now was a change, but I didn't count it because it's just a launcher, and most people use skinned OEM launchers or custom launchers off the Play Store anyway; it was more like an app update than an OS update.

 

[rews]

I didn't say they were OS changes, I meant them as what I considered notable additions to android that could only be attained through an update to the OS. As for Google Now, when it first launched you couldn't get it unless you were on that version of android. That was before they moved it into app form

 

[acsurfer]

Why is Google Now considered a big change? It seems like just a search function

 

[acsurfer]

When you mention OS or UI change, does the basic functions still work the same? Do I need to relearn anything?

Big change for me means for example Windows 8 is a big change (e.g.start button removed...) that users need to relearn.

 

[Sammytheorangutan]

Removing a start button isn't a major change. I figure they'll push Lollipop to my Edge before long. Still not sure I want it. 4.4.4 seems to work pretty well.

 

[someguy01234]

I view every whole number version update as a big change. We are on 5 now. Maybe in 2 years there will be version 6.

 

[mohit9206]

The only two versions of Android i have used are Gingerbread and Kitkat and they seem very different from each other in how things work.
Now when i get the lollypop update i dont expect as big a jump from Kitkat.

Sent from my Moto E using Tapatalk.

 

[LeoRex]

Why is Google Now considered a big change? It seems like just a search function

People who don't think Google Now is a big deal don't use Google Now. If they did, they woudn't think that.

Any-hew...

But all those projects weren't really major leaps.. they were refinements on top of 4.0.... all of it, leading up to 4.4 was a natural progression of that same operating system. 5.0 was indeed the first major overhaul since ICS was released in 2012. How long will it last? Hard to say.... it might last a year, might last longer. I guess it all depends on the design people at Google. But considering the work they put into 5.0, and Material Design, this will most likely be here for a while.