 |
 |
 |
| |
|
|
Android Fragmentation Not A Serious Issue
 |
|
|
|
| |
|
Android developers can be confident that they only need to actively target two Android OS builds in order to achieve 96 per cent compatibility with the Android ecosystem.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Friday, February 03, 2012:
Google's Android is regularly blasted for fragmentation and cannot be mistaken for Apple's iOS. However, it might not be as bad as we thought. Much of the negative conversation concerning the Android platform is predicated on the fact that it's fragmented.
Specifically, the issue is that its too many operating systems build spanning Android 2.0 to Android 4.0 and too many device and handset menufacturers clogging on already crowded mobile market. Meanwhile it's uncommon to hear an average customer complaining about having too many choices. Application developers for mobiles have shown concern about their money making and writing platform.
|
|
However, the data collected by localytics in January shows that developers should not worry about it. Applications used with Android devices have many specification in common. For instance, Android 2.3 “Gingerbread” is still used on 73 per cent of Android handsets and this number should vary as more people buy phones based on Android 4.0 “Ice Cream Sandwich” operation system.
According to eWeek, Localtics concluded in February 1 blog post, "Between the two, Android developers can be confident that they only need to actively target two Android OS builds in order to achieve 96 per cent compatibility with the Android ecosystem."
About the concern that Android developers should be worried about writing code to fit varying screen sizes and resolutions, Localtics said, “For both screen size and resolution, Android developers have more to deal with than iOS developers, thanks to Apple's single handset form factor. However, with five options accounting for more than 90 per cent of all Android app usage, the fragmentation is not particularly daunting.”
Adding to this, the analytics firm said, “Android tablets showed similar patterns, with nearly three quarters of all Android tablet usage from devices with the same specs, including the popular Amazon Kindle Fire, Barnes and Noble's Nook e-reader and Samsung Galaxy Tab. Most of the Android tablets run either Gingerbread (71 per cent), or Honeycomb (21 per cent).
Localtics pointed out that fragmentation exists in Android while it may not exist for iOS development. People have made it too serious but it's not. Google created different branches a year back to analyse the fact that handset OEMs and carriers decide what OS version goes on their handsets and tablets. But they came with a conclusion that OEMs and carriers withhold OS upgrade when they are available.
Tahir Zubair, EFYTIMES News Network
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
| |
| |
| |
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SUBSCRIBE TO EFYTIMES
Receive the latest reviews, how-tos, news & more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Daily App Review: Klik For iPhone |
| Among all the gadgetry on display in Mission Impossible IV, perhaps the most striking was an iPhone app that could identify people who appeared on the... |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|