Different Tastes Of Android: Which One Is The Best For You?

Android is the most widespread of mobile platforms. But as we know, giants are often unwieldy, one way or another. Does that concern Android? Rather yes than no. But what is the main reason behind it? Android surely isn't some kind of a second-rate platform. It can offer at least as much as iOS. But Android lacks one great advantage that iOS has. What is it?


A number of users simply cannot taste the delicious features of the latest version of the platform. While iOS gets a fast and steady support, Android version usage is very fragmented. According to January statistics, the latest Android version, 4.1/4.2 ''Jelly Bean'', isn't the most spread one. It has a share of only 13.6%. Nor it the second last, 4.0 ''Ice Cream Sandwich''. It has 29%. Nor even is the third last, 3.x ''Honeycomb'', with only 1.3% aboard. The champion here is 2.3.x ''Gingerbread'', running 45.6% of Android distribution. Surely Gingerbread isn't flawed or something like that. But it would be rather natural for new versions to replace older ones. However, there is an obstacle on their way.


Let's look back at the last quarter of 2012. Then the share of Gingerbread used to hold slightly more than a half of the whole pie. The situation has been slightly changing, while all of the 4.x versions gradually started to expand, currently having 42.6% altogether. The older versions occupied the rest - 11.5%. Yet the picture is still quite fragmented, and will be, as far as we can see.


This all is owing to a wide variety of Android device manufacturers – Samsung, HTC, LG, and more. Each one has even more devices for everyone's taste - from flagships to low-class ones. They are not that active at spreading Android updates - they would rather prefer customers to buy a new device with a newer Android version. Here only Nexus devices are winners - they receive updates in the first place. Other devices depend on their manufacturers. Meanwhile the new versions are released. Manufacturers promise updates for a lot of their devices, but the updates are rolled out very slowly. Some of them may skip the links between, for example, 2.3.x Gingerbread and 4.x versions. This explains why 3.0 Honeycomb has a very minor share.


So the users either have to switch to another, more recent device, or wait for the updates, using their current Android version. As Ice Cream Sandwich and Jelly Bean move on, gathering more followers, soon might appear a new Android version. It is rumored to be presented at the Google IO developer conference (from May 15 to May 17, 2013), and named 5.0 ''Key Lime Pie''. This might bring start the whole thing over. New devices, new features and improvements. We could get line-drawing keyboard or new ways of customization, expanded social media support or multiple device support. And of course, there will be a number of features for developers to integrate into custom software.


Meanwhile, one by one the newer updates become available. But it's a slow and lasting process with all those delays. Such is the nature of the platform. Although it's not as great as could be, we still have options of getting a sweeter taste of Android. Software development for Android faces the problem of choice: available features differ according to the version. As well it depends on the software product, its functionality and complexity. You may receive a comprehensive consultation on the project - therefore find out, which version will hold the most favorable prospects for you.