Most Android phones are still two generations of software behind, but Google's latest figures also reveal Ice Cream Sandwich has reached a quarter of Android blowers.
The two-year-old Gingerbread version of Google's Android software is still found on 54 per cent of Android-powered phones and tablets. Subsequent updates have taken a while to spread to Android phones: Ice Cream Sandwich powers 25.8 per cent of devices, despite having arrived over a year ago.
Ice Cream Sandwich was the latest version of Android until version 4.1 Jelly Bean came along this summer, followed by version 4.2 in the brand-new Google Nexus 4 smart phone and Google Nexus 10 tablet. Jelly Bean is still on a mere fraction of phones: just 2.7 per cent, in fact. That number should improve with the arrival of the Jelly Bean update for the best-selling Samsung Galaxy S3.
Older version Froyo is still hanging around on 12 per cent of phones. Cupcake and Donut have all but disappeared, while tablet-focus update Honeycomb never really took off in the first place.
For more on the different updates, each named alphabetically for different tasty treats, check out our guide to every version of Android.
Updates can take a while to get to every phone because there are so many devices in so many different shapes and sizes, which means manufacturers have to test the software extensively -- and the networks have to then test it again because of the extra apps they add that have to interact with the new software. That means Android is severely fragmented -- which some argue is the biggest problem facing the platform.
Do you think Android updates take too long, or should we be happy to keep our phones the way they are when we buy them? Update your thinking in the comments or on our Facebook page.
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Comments 11
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anonymous 5 November, 2012 13:08
Nothing wrong with Gingerbread - it's stable, and should meet most people's needs.
leoevs44 5 November, 2012 13:47
Gingerbread when it came out was awesome,and still today is a very good and usable os, ok it doesn't compare to ics or of coarse jellybean but as the above comment states it will easly meet most peoples needs...
anonymous 5 November, 2012 14:04
It takes too damn long. They need to step up their game. Because this is pathetic. I don't want to be forced to root my phone for an update.
anonymous 5 November, 2012 14:09
I would like to see Google force the manufacturers to make the "skins" they create, like HTC Sense into installed apps. Something similar to all of the highly integrated launchers that are out there. This would allow users to uninstall them, if desired, and speed up the delivery of updates because the manufacturers and phone companies would be updating an app within well defined constraints, just like developers. It could also allow the user to see the way the OS is supposed to run and look instead of the laggy or buggy way the manufacturers change it and add their bloatware.
anonymous 5 November, 2012 15:27
I am a newbie to andriod but have to admit I like to keep up phone updated as much as I can but I think the networks take way to long in giving updates when they are available, and I have to admit if you try and do it yourself it can be very complicated its not just a quick download and install onto your phone come on network providers and google get together make the updates easier and you might get more loyality from your customers.
Eric Manktelow 5 November, 2012 15:31
That is the problem, the network and manufacturer installed crapware generally causes slowdown and sometimes instability as well as causes huge problems with updates.
About time Google took a note out of Apple's books and stopped others fragmenting the OS.
I agree it's one of the big problems Android faces and unless something is done about it, it'll only get worse.
anonymous 5 November, 2012 15:47
Gingerbread isn't just on old phones or old models either.
Samsung and at least one other manufacturer have released new model phones as recently as 4 months ago with Gingerbread, rather than a more up-to-date version of the OS.
Other new phones are just getting ICS, when it's already been superceded by Jelly Bean, which has also now been superceded by Jellybean 4.2.
Oh well only 4 to 6 months to go and Key Lime Pie will be here.....for some !
anonymous 5 November, 2012 20:25
can anyone speak plain and simple words to me please ...... what is an " ice cream sandwich" operating system in a computer ...... im fed up with tech guys thinking they can impress me with bollox fancy words, would be much obliged for very simple explanation
anonymous 5 November, 2012 21:16
Ics on motorola atrix 2 kills the battery life and eliminates some functionality. There are some improvements but they are outweighed by the battery drain.
BIGPADDY 5 November, 2012 23:21
anonymous 5 November 2012 20:25
I'll try to explain it the best way first ice cream sandwich is the name of the opetating system for android this is also known as 4.0. Ice cream sandwich or 4.0 is for smartphones and tablet.
Android give all their operating system name of dessert for some reason as well as the 4.0 to show it the 4 new generation.
4.1 is jelly bean which made the os less lag with animation transition with project butter I think it called. :3
4.2 is a update for jelly bean :3
then it key lime pie :3
Hope this help :3 Sorry if there some errors to many desert names
anonymous 7 November, 2012 15:54
I cannot completely agree that fragmentation is Androids biggest problem. In a lot of ways it's actually its strength. No one had a response quick enough to challenge Apple and a lot of manufacturers that aren't very good with software design had something to keep themselves in the competition.
A lot of people do not care about timely updates, if they did they could and would buy an iPhone, if Not, they could buy a Nexus device. Most people just want a phone that allows them to keep with the times and enjoy the benefits of a smart phone without the hefty price. There is always a trade-off and that can be seen as fragmentation but remember, fragmentation is also freedom, You can be a part of a closed ecosystem where you have timely updates but inevitably you'll be limited to what you are allowed to do with your device and updates that make your phone obsolete (iPhone 4) will force you to buy a new one.