Fragmentation still plagues Android, as only 1% of all devices carry ICS 4.0

Well, the numbers are in for the different types of Android versions running on all devices, and the results are disappointing because it shows that fragmentation isn’t going anywhere.

First, Google released data (below) that showed 60 percent of users are running some sort of version of Gingerbread, and only 1 percent of users were operating on Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0). Google’s stats conflict with those of research firm, Localytics. Localytics has come up with data that shows a full 73 percent of Android devices (smartphone and tablets) run Gingerbread, not the 60 percent Google claims.

These numbers are staggering, because it suggest Google’s mobile OS is still plagued by fragmentation. I know, some of you Google supporters out there will probably say not to take this data as gospel but they’re pretty hard to ignore. Speaking as a proud user of Android since its inception back in 2008 – with the game changing G1 – I’m here to say it’s not only disappointing but flagrantly unacceptable. Just think, ICS has been out for 2 months and the OS is still just a speck on the graph?

As an owner of the Samsung Nexus S 4G, I’m one of the 60-73 percent of people stuck on Gingerbread as we speak. But why is that? Being the owner of a device that promises a “pure Google experience,” I shouldn’t be reduced to rooting my handset and uploading an unofficial version of Ice Cream Sandwich — it’s ridiculous. I get that Android 4.0 along with the “mandatory” use of the mobile OS’s Holo theme are both expected to reduce fragmentation, says Google.

The sad thing is, I don’t believe Google really cares about fragmentation — if they truly cared, they would have addressed it already. We Android supporters tend to forget that our favorite OS is owned by a giant search engine whose biggest cash generator is advertisements. Google’s bread and butter is pumping out its ad services to as much devices as it can, which explains its strategy of over saturating the market with Android devices. I’m coming to the realization that the only way Google will take notice, is if loyal sophisticated users like myself leave.

What’s your thoughts on Android fragmentation? Is Google finally on the right path?

About The Author

Charles West

Charles West is a self-described music snob and sports fanatic who loves occasional benders with friends and family. He has written about the mobile industry for TMCnet and Androinica. He also writes at his own blog The Trendaholic. You can follow him on Twitter @TheTrendaholic and Google+

Kosstheory

Holy crap! You mean ICS has been out in the wild for nearly two whole months and everything isn’t running Android 4.0 yet? Also, my daughters Nexus S was updated OTA to ICS a few weeks ago.
Kosstheory

Furthermore, the big question is what can you do with ICS that you can’t do with GB? The answer is very little. ICS is faster due to better optimization and hardware accelerated interfaces, but adds very little functionality that you don’t already have in GB from an end user vantage. When I think of fragmentation I think of not being able to run an app, because my OS doesn’t support it. I have a question? Why would you leave Android? You seem like you have the ability to root and run whatever version of Android you’d like, just like most people who care about these kinds of posts. I mean, what’s the point, if you’re choosing not to upgrade your phone yourself?
http://TheTrendaholic.com Charles West

I think you’re missing my point here. I shouldn’t have to root and upload an unofficial build of ICS on my Nexus S 4G, especially if its suppose to deliver a “pure Google experience.”
http://www.danielruby.com/ Daniel Ruby

As the researcher who did the study yesterday for Localytics, I’d like to point out two quick things:

- We measured usage to come to our numbers, IE the number of sessions all apps running our platform produced
- Google’s numbers are based on the number of devices that hit the Android Marketplace over a 14-day period

Just a bit of explanation as to why our results differ. Devices vs. usage, and the fact that certain Android devices (Kindle Fire, Nook Tablet) don’t access the Android Marketplace without a certain amount of work, so they’re generally not included in Google’s numbers.
Kosstheory

I think you’re missing my points here. It hasn’t been in the wild all that long, and my daughter’s phone got an official OTA update for her Nexus S. This just sounds kind of petty. You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do, but getting home and finding out that your milk is going to expire tomorrow, and then doing nothing to remedy that situation is kind of silly, especially when you have the ability to fix that problem. You don’t even give any reason why Google ‘doesn’t care about fragmentation,’ except the unsubstantiated speculation that it doesn’t matter as long as they’re raking in the dough from ad revenue. Of course it’sin there best interest to get as many Android users as possible but it’s just as obvious that their OS needed refinement to stay relevant and avoid losing users while attracting fresh faces. In fact, if they care, ICS wouldn’t have been developed for the sole purpose of bringing a unified experience to all users. The rest is up to the carriers, and yes, it is a failing of an open system that we don’t have a unified system to date. However, Google is doing a lot to make this better by developing ICS, distributing a style guide to developers, and making many needed interface requirements moving forward. Furthermore, not having ICS doesn’t negate your ‘pure Google experience,’ and you’re at or near the top of the list to get updated, anyway.