The numbers are out and Google is once again sharing to the world how its different Android versions are faring in the market so far. Although Android 6.0 Marshmallow, the latest Android release, was just formally launched, it hasn’t made even a dent yet considering it’s still in the process of rolling out Nexus devices. At least for now, the spotlight still remains on Lollipop, Android 5.0 and 5.1 together, who now collectively own 23.5 percent of the space, quickly bringing this candy neared to one-fourth of the Android market.
More than any recent Android release, the growth of Lollipop was swift and optimistic. Android 5.0, later joined by Android 5.1, would nearly double its cut in the pie every other month. In September, it passed the 20 percent mark, which in effect pushed out all other versions and seemed to give temporary hope in the struggle with Android fragmentation.
As for the other Android versions, everything seems to be going down at a steady pace. And by everything, we mean even Android 4.4 KitKat, whose numbers have started to slump back in May. Even so, it still holds its ground against the three Jelly Bean brothers, who doesn’t seem to have any hope of recovering. The only Android that still refuses to quit is Android 2.2 Froyo, though there is a chance we are finally seeing its last days.
That said, we will soon see another player in that list. That is, if adoption of Android 6.0 Marshmallow will be equally as fast as Lollipop. Given the seemingly slow response from device makers, however, it seems that not everyone is too keen on making yet another big jump yet. And it does feel that Google isn’t pushing it as strongly as it did for Android 5.0. The rise of fingerprint scanners, however, which is now officially supported in Android 6.0, could help spur manufacturers into action.
SOURCE: Google
