With Android’s fragmentation issues, there has been a lot of concern when it comes to updating a device, especially when it comes to wondering whether or not a particular Android phone will be upgraded to the next software version. Now that most Motorola Droid users are upgraded to Android 2.1 (Eclair), it has surpassed the numbers of Android 1.6 (Donut). But but even the increased number of Eclair users now, Android 1.5 (Cupcake) users are still the biggest piece of the Android pie.
As the numbers stand today, Cupcake takes 37.2% of the installed Android user base, Eclair takes 32.4%, and Donut now has 29.4%. There are a few users still hanging out on Android 1.1, 2.0, and 2.0.1, but not enough to take a full percent. With the Android Platform now cut into three distinct flavors, fragmentation is still strong. This is expected be to addressed with Froyo, or Android 2.2, which should really tackle the problem by taking some core apps out of the system, and putting them into the market – just one of the many ways I’d assume Google has plans for to address this issue.
Any Sense UI (excluding the Droid Incredible) device right now is still running Cupcake. These would be the HTC Droid Eris, and the Hero. While HTC promises that the Android 2.1 update will become available in the beginning of June, they are a full software version behind what’s about to hit devices like the Nexus One. When these devices get updated to Eclair, it will lessen the fragmentation numbers. That is, until the platform becomes more fragmented with Android 2.2.
Although it’s unlikely, maybe HTC is skipping Eclair altogether. They did skip Donut, so it’s possible they could go straight to Froyo. Don’t hold your breath though.
If you’re still running on Android 1.5 or 1.6, how bad to you want your device updated? Are you willing to switch to a device (and possibly carriers as well) with a more current Android OS software version if you can’t get a software update anytime soon?
[Via: AndroidCentral]