Android 2.1 becomes most used version, just in time to be obviated by Froyo
By Vlad Savov 
posted May 18th 2010 6:12AM
posted May 18th 2010 6:12AM
[Thanks, Chris D]
posted May 18th 2010 6:12AM
powered by gdgt
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@Doctor Kwame Nkrumah
Well, you've proved a point 'alrgith'. Idiot.
Way too many people are still using 1.5, it's sort of embarrassing and it's why I stopped using my G1.
I have to give Apple credit for their update system.
@Hussain Rahim
Its really not that impressive when you consider that they only have one device on one carrier. Its kind of easy to do updates on standardized hardware and you only have to worry about one radio frequency.
@JimmyJimJim But they designed their system to be simple and easily updated. Android just wanted to enter the market and now they are seeing the versions split up.
Since I switched from iPhone to HTC incredible I gotta tell u, there's no turning back! 2.1 is great!
Android =fragmented. I like the os but it is a serious issue
Who gives a fck about fragmentation? The average users don't. Its the developer's job and they have to maintain it. As a user, do I worry how many computers are running xp, vista or 7 or even 2000 for that matter. I just care if the application works on my computer or not. If it doesn;t, I will throw it away. Heck, some of the servers at my company are still on 2000. Did that stop developers making new applications for PC?
Wow a whole 37% use 2.1...o the joys of android. Honestly it's clear there is no fragmentation /s
So, more than 60% are still on 1.x? That's the problem. With "new" devices are coming with 1.5/1.6, it's really disheartening. With more and more Android devices in the US being dependent on the carrier, we will see how many will actually get 2.2 with its built-in tethering (my guess is it will be just the unlocked N1s).
@pika2000 If that's true this ecosystem is really messed up. With the death of the Google sales model, the number of N1s is never going to be significant. And if those are the only phones that get the free Wifi app and Flash, this is going to be a nonstarter.
Um… Engadget guys, that nice pie chart puts Android 1.5 at 37% which ousts 2.1. That would make it second place, not first. You know, math and stuff.
@SideswipeZulu look at the first chart you dunce
@Eldolchable Well professor, please explain why there are two conflicting pie charts posted in one article.
@SideswipeZulu Oh damnit I missed a sentance in that article. Ignore those posts. (back away)
Haters talk what? Android is interesting~ All of the versions from Cupcakes to Frozen Yogurt, delicious treats for gadgets that pull magic feats outside of the ATT lock down that the fruity apples want to stuff in the consumer pie hole.
everyone needs to stop complaining about iphone os and android os i own the nexus one and love it, i also own a ipod touch and boy goodness they got some nice software on that baby, i don't like the iphone because it is stuck with ATT and it costs like 100 a month for unlimited texting and stuff
Fragmentation isn't a bad thing its just showing how fast android is updating, yes old phones like G1 will never get updated by google/tmobile to 2.1 or higher, they are determined that it doesn't have enough hardward and if you really want to have it on your g1 just root it, i was one of the first guys to test rooting on the G1 and it has only got easier over time
rooting/jailbreaking equals the key to happiness everything is better when rooted and as soon as a 2.2 rom is dropped all the developers at xda will port it to all of the phones it chooses
in a perfect world:
Android 2.1: 100%
All while us who showed Google unwavering support and pre-ordered the G1 in 2008 are left with obsolete hardware running software that hasn't been updated in over a year now as we wait for our 2 year contract to finish up.
Yeah, thanks google. I'll definitely never buy one of your products ever again.
I have a tough time believing that almost no one is on 2.0 and 2.0.1. Did everyone update their phones to 2.1? Droid and Milestone users? UK Milestone JUST got it...
Look at the iPhone OS figures. So many people stay on the n-1 version until later. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if the 2.0 figures for Android match the 2.0 iPhone OS.... except the iPhone OS would be almost 2 years old at 2.0. I highly doubt everyone updated that quickly to Android 2.1 from 2.0.1.
@dmo580 And even 3 months after the 3.1.3 release of iPhone OS, it's still a 50/50 split almost between 3.1.3 and 3.1.2. It's more like 40-something and 40-something where the 2 OSes make up 85%+ of the iPhone OSes. The rest of the people are lumped on the old OSes, but this just shows how it takes time for a previous version to get phased out. I bet you I can round up a bunch of Droid users who haven't updated yet.... Shrug.
Since 2.2 is going to enable Flash support on Android, the obvious question is what phones are going to get this support? I can imagine some phones don't have the hardware horsepower necessary to handle Flash. And others might not get the update because their carrier doesn't offer it--for example Sprint wants another $30 for tethering, even though the $10 premium for 4G gives you unlimited data. Since a free Wifi app is going to come with 2.2 (hopefully unbundled from the OS update like Google said it would), will Sprint allow the Evo 4G owners to upgrade to Froyo, or will they block it or the Wifi application somehow? And thus the Evo 4G owners won't get Flash...
Anybody know?
Why are they restricting who gets 2.2? This bugs me big time. I thought android was about letting people choose what they want to do... Open source and all that non sense. Instead we are left with thousands of phones that are left behind, what gives? I should have the "freedom" to choose if I want froyo on an older phone even if it doesn't work well. Isn't that what you tech geek are saying about flash too? Bout to give up on android. I shouldn't have to fork dough over for a new phon every damn month so I can get the latest crap... This I bull
@Good Times
1. Each manufactures have their own custom stuff (moto blur, HTC sense) that need to be tested with each update.
2. 2.2 will enable tethering. Considering most Android phones in the US are carrier dependent and locked (other than the N1), I'm sure the carriers won't just let 2.2 slip by without closer scrutiny.
In the end, carriers and phone manufactures wants you to buy new models. So it is not in their best interest to update their older hardware. The Nexus one is just an exception as it is considered to be the reference phone.
I thought XDA Devs were the ones to thank for the rise in 2.1.
Will there be auto update from 2.1 to froyo on htc desire?
Where is this chart available at? I could not find it.
@Aaronneyer
Woops, never mind. Found it in the Android developers guide.
Fragmentation isnt real its just simply put, setting a minimal for devices and if they dont reach it they get maxed out....i mean i cannot run windows7 on an 85' mac....it wouldnt happen older devices get phased out its simple, nothing to get all ansy about.
btw the issue with getting phones to 2.1/2.2 that can support it hardware wise is the stupid vendors who dont understand that they cannot have 1 guy/team do the port over for the updates.
HTC, Moto, and all the other crap that hardware makers launch NEEDS TO BE IN THE APP STORE and have it check if the phone trying to download has the correct OS, and correct company....this would let updates fly faster, apps to be made to fit in the OS not the OS to fit the app, and allow for a better user experiance.