The new updated Android 4.0 is taking ages to come to the devices. This has the developers still favoring to write for the iOS. Sounding terrible for Android, it actually does not seem to have much impact on the Android users.
One of the big news last week was that the Android phones are yet to be upgraded to the latest operating system of Android. The developers still prefer writing applications for the Apple devices, regardless of the predictions by Google. Embarrassing for the company, does this really affect the Android user?
Google researched the situation. The statistics revealed that 7.1% of the devices, which recently accessed the Google Play, are enlisted to use the Google’s mobile operating system, Android 4 “Ice Cream Sandwich.” The others were comparatively far behind. Most of them are still using the versions ranging from Android 2.0 to Android 2.3.7.
Revised roulette
These are some of most commonly used Android phones and their status.
Nexus One / Android 2.3.6: The original of Google Nexus Line, it complements the Android family with a fast processor, improved call quality and voice control features. However, it still forces to store the apps in the internal memory.
HTC Dream / Android 1.6: This was the Google I/O developer edition phone. Given out at Google I/O 2009, the specifications were same as the HTC Dream. The drawback of not being updated even extends to the HTC Dream phones.
Droid Charge / Android 2.3.6: The phone is Verizon 4G LTE phone but it is not in the list of Samsung mobiles to be upgraded.
Droid Bionic / Android 2.3.4: The Motorola phone did not come with the latest version of the Android and it isn’t due to get it until the third quarter of the year.
HTC Evo 4G: / Android 2.3.3: The phone is not listed on the HTC mobiles inventory to get the upgraded Android 4.
AT&T Galaxy S II Skyrocket / Android 2.3.6: The phone would be updated but no set date has been announced yet.
Nexus S / Android 4.0.4: The phone was updated with the latest Android 4 in April, four months after the operating system was shipped to Galaxy Nexus.
Galaxy Nexus / Android 4.0.4: This phone is running on the most updated version of the Android operating system.
The Remorseful Status of the Android Updates
The inventory glared the sorry state of the Android updates. The pathetic state is such that Galaxy S III would arrive before the Galaxy S II is finally updated. The Droid Bionic has a slim chance of getting the Android 4 before Apple ships iOS 6 or a complete new iPhone.
In comparison, the iPhone 3G may not be updated beyond the iOS 4, but it definitely keeps up with the latest updates of iOS releases. The Android phone, younger to the iPhone 3G would never be more than Android 1.6. The iPhone 4 still has the current version of the iOS 5 and even upgrade to the iOS 6, when launched.
Does old really matter?
Android phones like the Nexus One is still ticking around. It would still be able to do the same work as the iPhone 4S. The images may be of lower resolution, but people are still able to use their Android phones despite not having the latest operating version. It has been found by the Flurry Analytics that Application Development for Android is still favorable to the development of iOS applications.
The iPhone seems to win because people like to use it. Nevertheless, Android is not far behind. Instagram took forever to be implemented on Android, but it grew all the same. iPhone iOS is definitely pleasant to use but it lacks in the 4G LTE connection, built in Google maps etc. However, it all trickles down to the ease of use of the customer.
Prohibited fragmentation
This definitely does not excuse Google or the handset partners. Google is the only one losing its image especially when it had promised to fare better. For the users approach, as long as the phone delivers what is expected, they are satisfied irrespective of the operating system version. For the “fragmentation” worries that were on the rise for the Android, it is this, which enabled the bloom of the Android devices. The Apple’s rumored new iPhone is supposed to be having a killer app as in more variety in the form factor. This would present a situation offering consistent experience across all platforms.
