Google has released its latest Android distribution figures, and the latest version of the mobile OS, Android Nougat, is now on 11.5 percent of devices. This marks a significant milestone for Nougat, reflecting its growing adoption among Android users worldwide.
Android Marshmallow and Lollipop
Next up, we have Android Marshmallow, which is on 31.8 percent of Android devices. Marshmallow introduced several key features, such as Doze Mode for battery optimization and granular app permissions, which have contributed to its widespread use. Following Marshmallow is Android Lollipop, which is on 30.1 percent of devices. Lollipop brought a major visual overhaul with the introduction of Material Design, making the user interface more intuitive and visually appealing.
Older Android Versions
After Lollipop, there is Android KitKat, which is on 17.1 percent of Android devices. KitKat was notable for its performance improvements and the introduction of the “OK Google” voice search feature. The rest of the distribution is made up of older versions, including Android Jelly Bean, Ice Cream Sandwich, and Gingerbread. These versions, while still in use, are gradually declining as users upgrade to newer versions of the OS.
The chart shows the Android distribution for the 7-day period leading up to the 6th of July 2017. It does not include any versions of Google’s mobile OS which have less than 0.1 percent distribution. This data provides valuable insights into the fragmentation of the Android ecosystem, highlighting the challenges developers face in ensuring compatibility across multiple versions.
One of the reasons for the varied distribution is the diverse range of devices running Android. Unlike iOS, which is limited to Apple’s hardware, Android is used by numerous manufacturers, each with its own update schedules and customizations. This leads to a slower rollout of new versions and a longer lifespan for older versions.
For developers, understanding these distribution figures is crucial. It helps them prioritize which versions to support and optimize their apps for. For instance, with Marshmallow and Lollipop together accounting for over 60 percent of the market, developers need to ensure their apps run smoothly on these versions.
Moreover, the adoption rate of newer versions like Nougat can influence the development of new features. As more users upgrade, developers can leverage the latest APIs and functionalities introduced in these versions, enhancing the overall user experience.
In conclusion, while Android Nougat’s presence on 11.5 percent of devices is a positive sign, the distribution figures underscore the ongoing challenge of fragmentation in the Android ecosystem. As Google continues to release new versions, it will be interesting to see how the adoption rates evolve and how manufacturers and developers respond to these changes.
You can find out more information about the latest Android distribution figures over at Google at the link below.
Source Google
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