Mobile
The Android OS breakdown
Android has been steady gaining ground and the new smartphone operating system of choice. But, with so many versions out there, is Android splintering or is this just temporary until the manufacturers issue updates?
According to this chart from Android and Me, its all about Android 1.5, 1.6 and 2.1.
Android 1.5 still has life due to phones such as the new Motorola CLIQ line of phones from T-Mobile. Android 1.6 is “holding steady” because no new phone has come out with it installed. Most Android 1.5 and 1.6 are hoping that they will be able to upgrade their phones to at least Android 2.0 to take advantage of some of the improved functionality. But, its a 50/50 shot due to hardware restrictions.
As for Android 2.1, that number is going to continue to grow, especially with Verizon’s update to the DROID and the Google N1. Also, there has been annoucements of possibly new Android phones (i.e. MyTouch Slide from T-Mobile) coming out this year with 2.1 loaded. And, what about the older phones I mentioned? They may get to bypass 2.0 and go straight to the 2.1 operating system.
T Man
04/14/2010 at 1:17 pm
The Droid Incredible by HTC for Verizon will be a major factor in the 2.1 arena, coming out April 29.
Google should immediately not allow any new phones to use earlier versions of Android.
guest
04/14/2010 at 1:22 pm
@T Man,
Good suggestion, but some handsets just can’t run versions newer than 1.5 and 1.6. Some have “hardware limitations” that prevent them from running 2.0 and up.
Stuart
04/14/2010 at 3:46 pm
Isn’t the Motorola Backflip also Andriod 1.5. Can Google actually prevent manufactures from using older versions of Andriod?
rell
04/19/2010 at 4:53 am
It depends on the company they have to make phone with faster processing. All the phone that run 2.1 are running 1g becide the droid