Google has now released its latest Android distribution figures for the period to the 4th of September 2013. Android 4.3 Jelly Bean is now on a total of 45 percent of all Android devices. This marks a significant milestone for the Jelly Bean version, reflecting its widespread adoption and the continuous improvements made by Google to enhance user experience, performance, and security.
Android Distribution Breakdown
In second place is Android Gingerbread, which is on 30.7 percent of Android smartphones and tablets. Gingerbread, despite being an older version, still maintains a substantial user base. This could be attributed to the large number of legacy devices that continue to operate on this version, especially in regions where newer devices are less accessible or affordable.
In third place is Android Ice Cream Sandwich, which accounts for 21.7 percent of devices. Ice Cream Sandwich brought significant changes to the Android ecosystem, including a revamped user interface and improved multitasking capabilities. Its continued presence on a notable percentage of devices highlights its impact and the gradual pace at which users upgrade their operating systems.
Finally, we have Android 2.2 Froyo with a 2.4 percent share and Android Honeycomb with just a 0.1 percent share. Froyo, released in 2010, introduced features like Wi-Fi hotspot functionality and performance improvements. Honeycomb, on the other hand, was specifically designed for tablets and introduced a new user interface optimized for larger screens. Despite their low percentages, these versions played crucial roles in the evolution of the Android operating system.
Impact of Older Android Versions
Google also posted the following note about older versions of Android which will no longer appear in the monthly report. This decision underscores the company’s focus on more recent versions that are actively supported and updated.
Because this data is gathered from the new Google Play Store app, which supports Android 2.2 and above, devices running older versions are not included. However, in August, 2013, versions older than Android 2.2 accounted for about 1% of devices that checked in to Google servers (not those that actually visited Google Play Store).
This note highlights the diminishing presence of older Android versions in the market. As technology advances, older versions become obsolete, and users are encouraged to upgrade to newer versions to benefit from enhanced features, security updates, and better app compatibility. The exclusion of versions older than Android 2.2 from the report reflects this shift and Google’s commitment to focusing on more current and widely-used versions.
The distribution data provides valuable insights for developers and manufacturers. Understanding which versions are most prevalent helps in optimizing apps and services for the majority of users. It also aids in making informed decisions about which versions to support and which to phase out.
The latest Android distribution figures reveal the dominance of Android 4.3 Jelly Bean and the continued presence of older versions like Gingerbread and Ice Cream Sandwich. As the Android ecosystem evolves, it is essential for users, developers, and manufacturers to stay updated with the latest versions to ensure a seamless and secure experience. The gradual phasing out of older versions signifies a move towards a more unified and advanced Android platform.
Source: Android Developers
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