Google hasn’t updated Android distribution statistics

The Android developer website hosts a distribution dashboard that information the adoption of Google’s cellular working system versions. With over 2 billion active Android devices obtainable, that is useful information that Google updates on a month-to-month cadence. But Google stopped updating the web page closing yr — these days marks the six-month mark.

We’ve reached out to Google more than one time within the past half a 12 months. In January, Google instructed us that the dashboard turned into present process website renovation and that we’d hear again whilst it’s constant. In April, the enterprise declined to remark.

This data is beneficial to absolutely everyone who wishes to make selections regarding Android. It’s pretty precious to recognize how extensively (or narrowly) an Android model — or, extra importantly, an API degree — has been adopted.
Android adoption numbers
The closing great milestone in Android adoption land turned in July, while Android Oreo handed 10% adoption. In August, Google commenced rolling out its successor, Android Pie.

The distribution numbers had been updated for the remaining time on October 26. Here are the numbers from that day (a word that Android Pie is lacking):

Google hasn’t updated Android distribution statistics 1

Android eight.0/8.1 Oreo (August 2017, December 2017): 21.5%
Android 7.0/7.1 Nougat (August 2016, October 2016): 28.2%
Android 6.0 Marshmallow (October 2015): 21.3%
Android five.Zero/5.1 Lollipop (November 2014, March 2015): 17.Nine%
Android 4.Four KitKat (October 2013): 7.6%
Android four.1/4.2/4.3 Jelly Bean (July 2012, November 2012, and July 2013): three.0%
Android four.Zero Ice Cream Sandwich (December 2011): zero.Three%
Android 2.Three Gingerbread (December 2010): 0.2%

In early December, a small be aware became introduced under the chart: “(replace coming soon: facts feed beneath maintenance).” More than four months have handed considering that. Google both has an unusual definition of “soon” or something else is amiss.

If we move through historical traits, Android 9.0 Pie these days must have somewhere simply underneath 10% of the, ahem, pie. Maybe it’s extra; maybe it’s less. We don’t recognize, due to the fact Google is refusing to replace the records.

The distribution dashboard is at the Android developer’s internet site. If you’re a developer, the good information is that you can get admission to your personal distribution records within the Google Play Console. And those records are a good deal greater granular, letting you filter out not simply by using the Android model, however additionally using device, united states, language, app version, and carrier. But that statistic is only for the gadgets on which customers are going for walks your app. If you need a broader picture, you’re out of luck.
Faster Android updates?

Google releases main Android variations on an annual basis. With every new launch, Android customers wish their phones get updated sooner than they have earlier. Except for Pixel phones — and Essential, which satirically isn’t making telephones anymore — the wait is excruciatingly long. I’m talking among and eight months, if the replacement arrives at all.

Google has tried to both alternates the importance of the once-a-year updates and speeds up their arrival. With Android ICS, the enterprise launched Google Play Services, which it uses to push numerous features and upgrades to Android devices without requiring a full running system replacement. With Android Nougat, the corporation started liberating monthly protection updates. With Android Oreo, Google added Project Treble, which modularized the cellular running device to be far less complicated to update. Android Q guarantees its personal update upgrades.

Since Android Pie is the principal launch that succeeds Android Oreo, that turned into the real take a look at for Google’s state-of-the-art try to improve updates. Every tool that shipped with Project Treble enabled had the capacity to get Android Pie quickly. Phone manufacturers and companies nevertheless had to play ball, but from a technical perspective, this becomes the best Android replacement yet.

Predecessors Android Nougat and Android Oreo took 5 months to skip 1% adoption and 10 months to pass 10% adoption. Those are low bars, and however, because Google has to reduce off the facts, we don’t even understand if Android Pie met them.

Read Previous

Google Updates: TV advertisements (eww), Android on Linux

Read Next

Google Updates: Red spots, selfie manage