Good news for the Android users; Android 6.0 Marshmallow is on the move even as we prepare for the coming of Android 7.0 Nougat.
Take a gander at the table below from the Google Developers Forum that shows the relative level of adoption of Google Android. The Data was collected during a 7-day period ending on August 1st, 2016.
The stats read as follows:
- 29.2% for Android 4.4 KitKat
- 35.5% for Android 5.0 Lollipop
- 16.7% for Android 4.3 Jellybean
- 15% for Android 6.0 Marshmallow
Ice Cream Sandwich, Gingerbread and Froyo are effectively dead with a little over 1% of the Android Devices in the Wild, albeit not totally out of the picture.
This is all well and great for Developers. But what about real features that will make Global buyers be interested in running out and get the latest Android smartphones?
Fragmentation in Android continues – Ho-Hum features boring as Chinese OEM’s thrive
The problems of Fragmentation are quite real as I’d pointed out a year ago in Why Android Fragmentation Worsens as Apple iOS 8 adoption almost complete.
Fragmentation, mainly the result of competition among OEM (Original Equiptment Manufacturers), is affecting Google’s ability to continue making money from Apps, which Apple is more efficient at doing despite having a smaller marketshare.
There is even fragmentation in the standard size for screen, the chief expression of innovation these days in the smartphone market. Android divides screen sizes and densities as shown below, with the trend being towards hdpi (high dots per inch) pixel density as shown below.
Clearly, higher definition, glossy magazine like images are now the standard with smartphones, Tablets and hybrid devices such as phablets. With the exception of the increasing sales of Chinese manufactures that can make high quality low cost smartphones due to their proximity to Chinese and Japanese component suppliers, the market for Android Smartphones and Tablets has become stagnant due to a lack of real features.
So based on the success of some of these Chinese manufactures, what are the features that Global buyers of smartphoens want that’ll make them run out and get the latest smartphones?
Real features that will boost Global Sales – Gimmicks only appeal to Hardcore user
Well, based on responses to my own inquiries around my workplace, these are the Real features are needed in the following areas to get the global market buying smartphones again in record numbers:
- US$200 or less for high-end features
- 1 week or months long battery life
- Self-recharging smartphones
- Internal Storage equivalent to a Laptop
- Unlimited Data without a Data Plan
- Unlimited Calling without being charged
- World Phone capabilities, eliminating roaming
- Universal e-SIM, reducing the need for a SIM Card
Innovation in these areas will make Android start growing again, as gimmicks such as dual-Cameras and new Biometric Security features such as fingerprint readers are already mainstream; only hardcore techies are excited over such slight adjustments in which the mass market has no immediate interest.
It’ll be interesting to see how fast Android 7.0 Nougat grows when it hits the market…..minus real features and not gimmicky innovation!