Initially released in November 2007, Google’s Android
operating system (OS) has grown and evolved over the years into what is now the
most globally distributed smartphone OS available, with over 300 million
devices shipped.
Yet despite Android being the most prolific mobile OS, the
iPhone is still the best selling handset.
This is simply due to the sheer amount of different Android handsets
available on the market.
Google releases the Android OS as “Open Source” software
which is free. Software developers from
handset manufacturers then take the code and customise it into their own software
release. We therefore see handsets, from
vendors like Samsung or HTC, issued with slightly different versions of Android,
with different custom user interfaces, themes, menus, pre-bundled apps
etc. This is what is referred to as fragmentation. The main problem with fragmentation is the
Android eco-system is slow to deliver software updates.
With Android 4 (aka Ice
Cream Sandwich), Google hoped to limit the fragmentation somewhat by putting
some restrictions on what handset vendors are allowed to change in the OS. In theory this results in a faster software
update to the end user (as well as a more consistent experience across
different handsets) but in practice it hasn’t really helped that much.
Without doubt Android 4 is the best release of the Android mobile
OS yet in terms of performance and features, and is therefore a desirable
update for any Android user. Many end users
are still waiting for their handset vendor to release the version 4 update
though.
Maybe Google will get it right with Android 5 (aka Jelly
Bean) which is purported to be on its way.
One thing is for sure – without limiting fragmentation of the platform
even more, they’re not likely to come anywhere near the consistent user
experience currently delivered by Apple’s iOS, Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7 or
Research In Motion’s Blackberry OS platforms anytime soon.
For advice on any aspect of your business communications, contact 8020 Ltd on 01387 250008.
For advice on any aspect of your business communications, contact 8020 Ltd on 01387 250008.
Andrew Edgar
Managing Director
8020 Ltd
01387 250008
