Google has now released the distribution numbers for the various versions of its mobile operating system.
The figures for Google’s platform distribution over Android devices have now been released and they have shown that the most recent version of the operating system, Lollipop, has now been installed on 18.1 percent of all of the active mobile devices powered by that OS, worldwide.
Google collects its operating system distribution data by tracking the versions that visit the Play Store.
To do this, it collects the data about the version of the Android devices that visit the Google Play Store the most frequently throughout a testing period that runs for 7 consecutive days at the end of each month. It is estimated that 12.4 percent of the mobile devices powered by the operating system were a part of the data collection process during the last testing period. This is considered to be an accurate enough sample to understand the overall distribution of the various Android operating system generations.
The previous release of this data from Google showed that only 0.8 percent of Android devices were using Lollipop.
Clearly, there has been a considerable growth since that time. That said, that figure was specific to the mobile devices running on Android Lollipop version 5.1. There was another 11.6 percent of the smartphones and tablets that were running on the Lollipop 5.0 version. During the current figures, Android versions 4.0.3 through 4.0.4 represented a total of 4.1 percent of the smartphones and tablets. That was a decline from the period before, when it had been recorded to be 5.1 percent.
Ice Cream Sandwich also experienced a drop, having fallen from 5.1 percent in the previous numbers, to 4.1 percent in the current ones.
Both Gingerbread version 2.3 and Froyo version 2.2 were determined to have very small figures, but are still continuing to cling to existence.
It is clear that KitKat and Lollipop are continuing to hold the majority among Android devices, but that there are still quite a few devices out there from previous years that are still operating on the operating systems from their time.
Android mobile gaming may be set for a major paradigm shift
Android mobile gaming has been getting a great deal of attention over the past several months. The Android platform has long been popular in terms of mobile games, but the future of the platform may be decidedly more static. The impending launch of the Ouya and Nvidia’s Project Shield, both of which are stationary consoles based on the Android platform, may have a measurable impact on the Android’s position in the mobile gaming realm.
Android-based consoles equipped with advanced technology
Mobile gaming on the Android has been evolving for several years. While there are still significant gaps between the Android and traditional game consoles, the Android platform has become more capable of supporting advanced games due to the expanding capabilities of new technology. The Nvidia’s Tegra 3 processor, for example, allows the Android to support games that have features that had traditionally been exclusive to consoles. With the coming of Android-based consoles, however, the platform may see its mobile gaming pedigree marred.
Developers may favor consoles over mobile platforms
The Ouya and Project Shield will boast of more advanced technology than what can be found on the most modern Android mobile devices. These consoles will be able to play games that will be a significant step above the capacity of mobile devices, despite being based on the same platform. Thus, game developers will have more freedom in the types of games they can produce for the platform, which may end up leaving Android mobile devices behind in terms of mobile gaming.
Mobile gaming may still thrive despite challenges in the future
Despite the possible risks associated with upcoming Android-based consoles, Android mobile devices are still likely to be popular platforms for mobile gaming. Because the upcoming consoles are significantly less mobile than a smart phone or tablet, gamers may not be inclined to acquire mobile titles for these consoles. Android mobile devices will eventually catch up to the capabilities of their console counterparts, but this may take several months, if not years. Moreover, consumers will likely have to purchase an entirely new device that features this advanced technology, whereas they could purchase a console and not have to worry about making another investment for several years.
