Google has released the latest distribution figures for its Android OS, and Android Marshmallow is now on 10.1 percent of devices.
It has taken Google around 7 months to get the Android Marshmallow distribution up over the 10 percent mark, this covers the period to the 6th of June 2016.
Android Marshmallow Adoption
The journey to reach this milestone has been gradual. Android Marshmallow, also known as Android 6.0, was officially released in October 2015. The update brought several new features and improvements over its predecessor, Android Lollipop. Some of the key features included Doze mode for better battery management, granular app permissions, and native support for fingerprint recognition. Despite these enhancements, the adoption rate has been relatively slow compared to previous versions.
One of the reasons for the slow adoption could be the fragmentation of the Android ecosystem. Unlike Apple’s iOS, which is tightly controlled and can be updated across all devices simultaneously, Android updates depend on device manufacturers and carriers. This often leads to delays in rolling out new versions to end-users.
Comparison with Other Android Versions
Android Lollipop, which was released in November 2014, is now on 35.4 percent of devices. This version introduced a new design language called Material Design, which significantly improved the user interface and experience. The higher adoption rate of Lollipop can be attributed to its visual overhaul and the fact that it was a major update after the relatively incremental updates of KitKat.
Android KitKat, released in October 2013, is still on 31.6 percent of devices. KitKat was designed to run more efficiently on lower-end hardware, making it a popular choice for budget smartphones and tablets. Its longevity in the market is a testament to its stability and performance.
Following KitKat is Android Jelly Bean, which is on 18.9 percent of smartphones and tablets. Jelly Bean, released in three versions between 2012 and 2013, brought significant performance improvements and new features like Google Now and Project Butter, which aimed to make the user interface smoother.
The rest of the distribution is split among older versions: Android Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS) is on 1.9 percent of devices, Android Gingerbread is on 2 percent of devices, and Android Froyo is on just 0.1 percent of devices. These older versions are gradually phasing out as more users upgrade to newer devices and operating systems.
Challenges and Future Outlook
The slow adoption of newer Android versions highlights the challenges Google faces with its fragmented ecosystem. Device manufacturers often prioritize their custom user interfaces and additional features over timely updates. Carriers also play a role in delaying updates as they conduct their own testing and add bloatware.
However, Google has been taking steps to address these issues. The introduction of Project Treble in Android Oreo aims to make it easier for manufacturers to update their devices by separating the vendor implementation from the Android OS framework. This modular approach is expected to speed up the update process and reduce fragmentation.
Additionally, Google’s Android One program, which offers a pure Android experience with timely updates, is gaining traction in emerging markets. This initiative could help increase the adoption rate of newer Android versions in the future.
You can find out more details about the latest Android Distribution figures over at the Google Developers website at the link below.
Source Android Developers
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