What fragmentation? 77% of devices run Android 2.1 or 2.2

By on Nov 2, 2010 at 6:00 PM
Software November 2, 2010

Google’s Android team revealed Tuesday that over three quarters of Android-powered devices are now running either Android 2.1 or Android 2.2. Google constantly monitors this and other data using information gathered when devices access the Android Market. The current figures, which take into account all devices that have accessed the Android Market in the 14-day period ending November 1st, suggests that the majority of Android users are equipped with current OS builds. Google’s numbers show that 77% of Android devices currently run Android 2.2 or Android 2.1. Android 1.6 was found on 15% of phones and Android 1.5 was present on just 7.9%. If 75% of Android users have access to modern OS builds packed with the latest and greatest Android has to offer, is fragmentation really such a huge problem? Maybe not… but then again, Google’s data could be skewed. It is entirely possible that users with older devices simply don’t access the Market as often because the apps they want aren’t compatible with older versions of Android.

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  • Grzegorz Maj

    This year 70% of phones have 2.x version – because much more phones were released this year than last one. Wait another year and you will see 40% – version 3.x, 40% – version 2.x, It will be worse.

  • Duncan Wilcox

    I don’t care what Mr. Jobs says, but fragmentation is a developer issue, which ultimately is an app availability issue.

    Now the main fragmentation a developer sees is money: there are several competing android markets, and the google checkout based ones can only sell in 13 countries. And good luck getting money from the telco-run markets.

    Sure you can make free apps with ads. Google ads (surprise!), but it can be a limiting business model.

    Next there’s hardware fragmentation, knowing the screen is a fixed size and being able to rely on hardware features often makes development a lot more predictable.

    And if you want to fit right in you also have to think about the different skins.

    The sad part is google could fix many of the issues and be a much worthier competitor.

    • Anonymous

      Yep, you hit all the key points. Android would be a much worthier competitor, but Google chose to go the Microsoft route with a one size fits all software to many different hardware.

      It’s kind of like a super stretchy leotard material. It’ll fit on a muscular person and look fine but it’ll fit on a really fat person just fine, but look disgusting.

      Just like the Android OS. It’s great on some phones, but horrible on others.

      • Duncan Wilcox

        Rumor has it Windows Phone 7 phones will have a much more uniform experience than Android, while still stretching over different hardware. Who knows, perhaps they’ll have second place.

      • Anonymous

        According to M$ they made sure that their partner carriers all met certain hardware requirements when they manufactured their handsets in order to guarantee a good user experience. I think ( quote I THINK I’M NOT SURE) they also stated they weren’t going allow the carriers to take liberties with the OS. Time will tell if this is BS.

  • http://twitter.com/tsaunders tsaunders

    The OS might not be as fragmented but you still have different size screens to take into account.

  • Lewis Kezagger

    In my view, the OS might be contributing somewhat to the fragmentation, but what’s really driving it is the variants of an OS by the handset manufacturer and then the Carriers. My HTC Desire can have an AMOLED screen or a SLED, then there are multiple versions of 2.2 and 2.1 floating around out there depending on your carrier. Are these variants all the same – I honestly don’t have a clue. If they are, why aren’t the updates to 2.2 released directly by the handset manufacturer instead of the Carriers. Better yet, why not directly by Google. I fail to see any benefit or the logic to an update to 2.2 being available, but being tailored by the Carriers? Oh wait – probably has something to do with them trying to force their customers into paying for a new device to get an OS upgrade. iPhone owners are controlled by Apple, while Android users are controlled by the Carriers it would seem.

    • Anonymous

      Agreed. Android is just another type of walled garden.

  • http://twitter.com/be_seeing_you Be Seeing You

    Funny, Google is in denial about fragmentation around Android and its fans are screaming not true. I’d suggest most of the fans are consumers who don’t work in the mobile industry (yes, that include most developers). Fragmentation, as someone else pointed out, is more than the OS version, but if you’ve only developed desktop apps or web apps, you will likely not perceive the distinction or the challenges. The observations around the additional fragmentation caused by rooting Android devices are spot on as well.

    The iPad is not an oversized iPod Touch. Are there similarities? Sure. Apple spent a lot of time on the HCI and ergonomics of the touch experience. However, the iPad is aimed at a different usage segment. It’s not a netbook/laptop replacement because it’s aimed at consumer data consumption. It’s not a developer laptop replacement, although the bulk of the outrage seems to be over Apple not making it one.

    When I’m asked about which device is “better”, the only answer I can honestly give is that one is better suited for some of the things I do than others. Trying to claim that one device/OS/etc. is superior to all others is a silly, but far too common tactic taken by marketers and other people who need validation from others that they made the “right” choice.

    Android and iOS will flourish because they serve different needs. Neither should be the source of religious debate nor the cause of excessively bad manners.

    Be seeing you

    • Anonymous

      To bad more bloggers aren’t as intelligent as you dude.

  • MitchB

    What needs to happen is a complete overhaul from Google to make Android a better experience. We wouldnt have these fragmentation issues or conversations if Google created a smooth, polished interface that can be implemented by all the manufacturers without them having to add an overlay (Sense, Blur, TouchWiz, etc).. maybe some custom apps from the manufacturers pre-installed would be OK.. but like what was already stated, the custom interfaces are what mainly prevents an Android upgrade from going to most devices.
    My point is, if I look at an Epic 4G and an EVO 4G side by side, I shouldnt have to learn a completely new interface of icons, locations, screens, menus, etc. This is why Apple has had so many people retained to the iPhone.. they upgrade the hardware, but essentially keep the OS the same look and feel. I think Google should put all their resources into the next build of Android and REQUIRE a vanilla install onto ALL new Android devices. This keeps the customer interested in Android and anticipating the next version of the OS or hardware without worrying about comparing UI’s.

    • MitchB

      PS – I sell for Sprint and I’m sick of hearing “do you guys have the Droid?” and having to explain the differences between Android-based devices.. it’s the wrong way to go about it and it pisses customers off because its a difficult concept to grasp if you’re not a “techie.” I can’t wait to sell WP7 against Android because of this, or possibly some new WebOS devices.

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