Donut (Android)

Donut (Android)
Name	Donut
Caption	Android 1.6 "Donut"
Developer	Google
Family	Android
Released	September 15, 2009
Latest release version	1.6
Programming language	Java, C, C++
Kernel type	Monolithic (Linux)
License	Apache License 2.0, GPLv2

Donut (Android) Donut is the codename for Android 1.6, a version of the Android mobile operating system developed by Google and released in 2009. Donut introduced user-visible features and platform changes that affected device makers such as HTC, Motorola, and Samsung Electronics and influenced application developers for ecosystems including the Android Market and later Google Play. The release played a role in the broader mobile computing landscape alongside contemporaries like iPhone OS and Windows Mobile.

Overview

Donut consolidated improvements to the Linux kernel-based platform maintained by Google and contributors such as the Open Handset Alliance and independent projects like WebKit-based browsers. The update targeted a spectrum of devices from touchscreen smartphones by HTC and Samsung Electronics to emerging form factors from LG Electronics and Sony Ericsson, while integrating services from Google Maps, Gmail, Google Talk, and Android Market partners. Donut's release cycle intersected with industry events such as Google I/O and product launches by manufacturers including T-Mobile and carriers like Sprint Corporation.

Development and release

Development occurred within Google's open-source repositories and communities including contributors associated with Apache Software Foundation projects and the Linux kernel community. Donut's engineering milestones were discussed at conferences such as Google I/O and in collaboration with members of the Open Handset Alliance like Qualcomm and NVIDIA Corporation for hardware support. The public rollout in September 2009 followed internal testing on reference hardware and validation with carriers including T-Mobile US and Vodafone Group; handset updates were distributed by manufacturers like HTC and Motorola Mobility.

Features and improvements

Donut added support for new hardware capabilities and media formats, improving compatibility with devices from Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics. Key user-facing changes included a unified search framework that linked Google Search with local and web content, enhancements to the Android Market discovery model, and an updated camera and gallery experience using components from projects like OpenGL ES for graphics acceleration. The release introduced support for CDMA/EVDO and additional screen sizes, which affected carriers such as Verizon Communications and manufacturers like Sony Ericsson adapting devices for global markets. Donut also expanded text-to-speech functionality with integration points for services similar to those offered by Nuance Communications and influenced accessibility initiatives associated with organizations such as World Wide Web Consortium.

Platform architecture and APIs

At the platform level, Donut refined the Android API surface, extending classes in the Android SDK that application developers used within environments supported by tools from Eclipse Foundation and the Android Developer Tools plugin. The release improved package management and resource handling for multiple display densities, aiding OEMs like HTC and chipset vendors such as Qualcomm and Texas Instruments in optimizing performance. Donut's media framework enhancements leveraged components compatible with GStreamer-style pipelines and codec support influenced by standards bodies including MPEG. Security and permission models were maintained in coordination with projects like the Linux kernel and cryptographic libraries used by organizations such as the OpenSSL Project.

Market reception and adoption

Industry analysts at firms such as Gartner and IDC tracked adoption of Donut among handset vendors including HTC, Motorola Mobility, and Samsung Electronics, noting increased support for varied form factors and faster application distribution via the Android Market. Carriers including T-Mobile US, Verizon Communications, and Sprint Corporation evaluated Donut-based devices for network compatibility, while app developers associated with companies like Facebook, Twitter, and eBay began targeting the expanded API set. Market coverage in outlets such as The New York Times, Wired, and CNET documented user reactions and OEM strategies during the transition from earlier Android versions.

Legacy and influence on Android evolution

Donut's platform-level additions and hardware support helped pave the way for subsequent versions such as Eclair and Froyo, influencing design decisions by stakeholders including Google engineering teams and the Open Handset Alliance. The release informed compatibility guidelines later formalized by initiatives like Android Compatibility Definition Document compliance used by manufacturers including Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics. Donut's improvements to search, media, and display handling contributed to the maturation of the Android ecosystem that supported major applications developed by companies like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon and accelerated competition with platforms such as iOS and Windows Phone.

Category:Android (operating system) versions