System version vs Android version

[HDG55]

I am not sure (being VERY new at this) what the difference is between System and Android
My phone says: System version: 5.5.893.XT875.Verizon.en.US
and Android version: 2.3.4
I read everywhere about Ice cream sandwich and other strange names.
Do I have the latest Android version?
I watched the videos on the new user pages however they assume you are NOT a 56 yr old
who doesn't understand the jargon.
What am I supposed to do about the android version

VERY CONFUSED in NM

 

[CJM]

I'm no pro with the Bionic, but it sounds like you have the latest factory system version & the latest version of Android for your phone. There are some other system versions floating around, but they are still Android 2.3.4, afaik.

 

[aaf709]

You have the latest version.

Android Version 2.3.4 is Gingerbread. The Bionic is scheduled to get Ice Cream Sandwich (aka ICS) at a later time.

System Version 5.5.893 is the name of the latest update. There is a version called 5.9.901, but that you'd have to install manually. Normally updates come OTA (Over The Air).

I'm 57 (58 next Friday) so I know what you mean.

 

[k1ngr4t]

To contribute, the system version refers specifically to the exact system your PHONE is running. This determines the functions only of your phone specifically.

The Android version is the operating system. This is like Windows XP/Vista/7 or Apple's OS X etc. So most smart phones will be running Ginerbread, as most computers run WinXP/7.

System refers to your device, android refers to the devices in general. Hope this also helps clarify things a bit.

 

[HDG55]

Thank you, I think I understand now.

:icon_ banana:

You have the latest version.

Android Version 2.3.4 is Gingerbread. The Bionic is scheduled to get Ice Cream Sandwich (aka ICS) at a later time.

System Version 5.5.893 is the name of the latest update. There is a version called 5.9.901, but that you'd have to install manually. Normally updates come OTA (Over The Air).

I'm 57 (58 next Friday) so I know what you mean.

 

[HDG55]

Thank you, I think I understand now.

<img src="http://cdn.droidblog.net/forum/images/smilies/smile2/icon_ banana.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Icon Banana" smilieid="35" class="inlineimg">

You have the latest version.<br>
<br>
Android Version 2.3.4 is Gingerbread. The Bionic is scheduled to get Ice Cream Sandwich (aka ICS) at a later time. <br>
<br>
System Version 5.5.893 is the name of the latest update. There is a version called 5.9.901, but that you'd have to install manually. Normally updates come OTA (Over The Air).<br>
<br>
I'm 57 (58 next Friday) so I know what you mean.

 

[HDG55]

Thank you to everyone....so I'm running the latest version of the phone system and Gingerbread is the android version that I have. Right. Great this forum is really going to be a big help to me.

 

[sonarman]

The forum has been a big help to me, bought my bionic 12-15. I'm 85, will be 86 in March. Go Droid!

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using DroidForums

 

[aaf709]

To contribute, the system version refers specifically to the exact system your PHONE is running. This determines the functions only of your phone specifically.

The Android version is the operating system. This is like Windows XP/Vista/7 or Apple's OS X etc. So most smart phones will be running Ginerbread, as most computers run WinXP/7.

System refers to your device, android refers to the devices in general. Hope this also helps clarify things a bit.

That's an excellent analogy. To add just a bit more...

If you have a PC (and maybe Apple too) your computer sometimes says that it has updates to install. Android is like that, but MUCH less. In fact a new update generates a lot of talk here.

Unlike Windows, you aren't paying for the next OS. Your phone will go from Gingerbread to Ice Cream Sandwich, giving you a notification of an update (like the updates to the system).

 

[unbesorgt]

I read everywhere about Ice cream sandwich and other strange names.

Google names each major Android release after a type of dessert, in alphabetical order. Why? No one really knows, it's just a fun thing they do. They also unveil a statue of each dessert on the Google campus (Googleplex) when each new version is released, for publicity and employee morale I guess. Here are the major Android versions and their associated names:

4.0.x = Ice Cream Sandwich
3.x.x = Honeycomb
2.3.x = Gingerbread
2.2 = Froyo
2.0, 2.1 = Eclair
1.6 = Donut
1.5 = Cupcake

Honeycomb (3.x.x) was for tablets only. It was released when most Android phones were still running Gingerbread. Ice Cream Sandwich (4.0.x) is supposed to merge the tablet and phone versions into one Android codebase, so that going forward there is only one version for tablets and phones. That's why the Bionic will be going from Gingerbread (2.3.4) straight to ICS sometime in early 2012 (according to Motorola).

 

[azdrifter]

And as far as an update when there is one you will see a an icon in the notification area that will say there is a system update available and until you allow the update it will remind you every hour until you accept the update and they are usually around 56mbs or larger depending on how many bug fixes or new apps that will be included with the update.

 

[aaf709]

Adding to that if you go to Menu>Settings>About phone>System updates you can check to see if there's an update available. When you do that, you are pinging the carrier, who checks to see if you're scheduled to receive it. If you are, then you'll get notice that an update is available to download. This means that if you're scheduled to get the update on, say, February 2nd at 3:47am, your phone will say that it's "up to date" until then despite the fact that others on this forum had been getting it since January 23rd.

If it says, "Check for updates not available at this time. Please try again," try again later. Normally you should get the notice that your phone is up to date.

 

[211SSW]

So, does that mean that anyone with reasonably new Android can upgrade to this Ice Cream Sandwich? I was on a tech support call couple days ago & upgrade was done but I wasn't told any special name - now that I think of it, I believe I read that the "sandwich" came out today? Do I remember that right? If true, would that mean there's another upgrade waiting or did that Verizon tech manage to get that $30 up charge qualify to go on my account for this month?
There is a definite likelihood that this 68 yr old may have just committed an Android term "smoothie"!!!! as the words get totally mixed in my head although the analogy of XP/7 & OS made more sense than most. Any suggestions as to the detail of my phone?
Phone not available to check on details or I would have included it all for your pleasure!OK, my phone is at 2.3.4 Android version, so I wonder what the upgrade was - I'm finding no numbers with first numbers 5.xx but this is HTC phone, first of 4G phones which is of value only when I'm in Phila. area.
My constant issue is phone not having sufficient storage -always deleting Apps, etc. trying to get space. Not qualified for upgrade for 13 months!I need it now!

 

[aaf709]

So, does that mean that anyone with reasonably new Android can upgrade to this Ice Cream Sandwich?

Tale a look at https://forums.motorola.com/pages/00add97d6c for the list of Motorola phones that should be getting ICS. On another thread, http://www.htc.com/www/help/android4faq/?cid=android4blog has a list of HTC phones that should be getting ICS. The target date looks to be Q3, barring any problems.

Any suggestions as to the detail of my phone?
Phone not available to check on details or I would have included it all for your pleasure!OK, my phone is at 2.3.4 Android version, so I wonder what the upgrade was - I'm finding no numbers with first numbers 5.xx but this is HTC phone, first of 4G phones which is of value only when I'm in Phila. area.

You can see the Thunderbolt's specs at HTC ThunderBolt specs