Google recently updated their Resources page for Developers highlighting the currently in use platform versions of Android OS. For the first time, Android 2.1 takes the lead with a 3% boost over second place Android 1.5. However, Android 1.6 is right there in the running as well at 28%, which basically means about 1/3 Android 1.5, 1/3 Android 1.6 and 1/3 Android 2.1. Still highly fragmented, but I’m sure Android 2.1 will get a much needed boost as the Samsung Moment’s update is now officially available, even if it’s difficult to update. It’s a manual download users have to perform, and we’re sure many users don’t even know they can do that yet. The Droid Eris is also getting the Android 2.1 update, and it’s a little more automatic, but I’m curious how that’s going. Finally, the Sprint HTC Hero is set for the update soon, with a recent leak of the Android 2.1 update already in the public domain, it should be within a few weeks of going official.
Also included is a new page highlighting the screen size, and density of Android devices. Both of these pages help developers to better estimate for which version and size of device they want to develop their application.
Then of course, there is Android 2.2. I, and a couple other sites, have already seen Android 2.2 visits logged into our analysis systems and we know they are out there in the wild getting tested. Android 2.2 is slated as a fairly large update in the base OS, going more modular and separating out core applications/functions, so that future updates are easier to push, one module at a time. Let’s hope it helps the situation a little as the chart below from AndroidTapp shows, things are all over the place.
