Google has released its latest distribution figures for its Android OS, and the latest version of the software, Android Nougat, is now on 7.1 percent of Android devices. This marks a significant milestone for Nougat, which has been gradually rolling out to more devices since its initial release.
Android Versions and Their Market Share
Next up is Android Marshmallow, which is on around 31.2 percent of Android devices. Marshmallow introduced several key features such as Doze mode for battery optimization and granular app permissions, making it a popular choice among users and manufacturers alike. This is then followed by Android Lollipop, which is on 32 percent of devices. Lollipop brought a major design overhaul with Material Design, which has since become a staple of Android’s visual language.
Following Lollipop, we have Android KitKat, which is on 18.8 percent of Android smartphones and tablets. KitKat was notable for its focus on optimizing performance for lower-end devices, making it accessible to a broader range of users. Android Jelly Bean, which is on 9.1 percent of devices, introduced features like Google Now and Project Butter, which aimed to improve the overall user experience by making the interface smoother and more responsive.
Older Versions and Their Legacy
Finally, there is Android Ice Cream Sandwich, which is on 0.8% of devices, and Android Gingerbread at 1%. These figures are up until the 2nd of May 2017. Ice Cream Sandwich was a significant release that aimed to unify the smartphone and tablet experiences under a single OS version. It introduced a more refined user interface and improved multitasking capabilities. Despite its low current market share, its influence can still be seen in later versions of Android.
Gingerbread, on the other hand, is one of the oldest versions still in use. Released in 2010, it brought features like support for NFC (Near Field Communication) and a new download manager. Although its market share is now minimal, it laid the groundwork for many features that are standard in modern Android versions.
Conclusion and Future Outlook
The distribution figures highlight the fragmentation that has long been a characteristic of the Android ecosystem. Each version brings its own set of features and improvements, but the slow rollout and adoption rates mean that many users are still on older versions. This fragmentation can pose challenges for developers who need to ensure compatibility across multiple versions.
Looking ahead, it will be interesting to see how quickly newer versions like Android Oreo and Android Pie are adopted. Google has been making efforts to streamline the update process with initiatives like Project Treble, which aims to make it easier for manufacturers to update their devices to the latest version of Android. As these efforts continue, we may see a more unified Android ecosystem in the future.
Source Android Developers
Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals
Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
