Google Has Killed Android (the Brand)

[AlphaJohn]

It's the only logic explanation as to why Nokia managed to sell a few 920s, as windows phone sucks donkey balls.

Do not be so quick to judge, Lumia 920 for one has the best camera out there. Also the OS is not half as bad as most make it out to be.

What is the dominant version of Android on handsets today?

Easy awnser: http://developer.android.com/about/dashboards/index.html

BUT its a trick question.

Unlike iOS and Windows Phone, Android is modular. So just asking what version you is dominant doesnt address all the points seeing that all of them use the same core apps, from maps to YouTube and mail also you will find that most of the applications on the market can be used on your phone regardless of the underlying OS version. Something that is not easy with say iOS where you can not update the core map or mail application without upgrading the entire OS.

 

[BigAl-sa]

llBUT its a trick question.

Unlike iOS and Windows Phone, Android is modular. So just asking what version [-]you[/-] is dominant doesnt address all the points seeing that all of them use the same core apps, from maps to YouTube and mail also you will find that most of the applications on the market can be used on your phone regardless of the underlying OS version. Something that is not easy with say iOS where you can not update the core map or mail application without upgrading the entire OS.

Well said: I don't have to respond

Whether you like it or not, Android is still a major buzzword.

 

[ToxicBunny]

It's the only logic explanation as to why Nokia managed to sell a few 920s, as windows phone sucks donkey balls.

I think you'll find in other countries, the Lumia is selling pretty well. The OS is actually pretty bloody good.

**EDIT**

Just as an addition.

I'm a geek, through and through and I honestly don't really care what OS runs on my phone. I've had a few Android phones and have an Android tablet. Had a Windows Phone (Lumia), had an iPhone (3g), and I'm now going back to an iPhone (iPhone 5). My choice of phone is purely cost based... and currently the best phone at the best price that I can get my hands on is the iPhone 5 (corporate pricing, so certain retail packages don't apply)

 

[kingrob]

I think you'll find in other countries, the Lumia is selling pretty well. The OS is actually pretty bloody good.

**EDIT**

Just as an addition.

I'm a geek, through and through and I honestly don't really care what OS runs on my phone. I've had a few Android phones and have an Android tablet. Had a Windows Phone (Lumia), had an iPhone (3g), and I'm now going back to an iPhone (iPhone 5). My choice of phone is purely cost based... and currently the best phone at the best price that I can get my hands on is the iPhone 5 (corporate pricing, so certain retail packages don't apply)

LOL... is this some sick joke?

The iPhone 5 is the most expensive phone money can buy & even most people in Nigeria and India knows this.

 

[mercurial]

Easy awnser: http://developer.android.com/about/dashboards/index.html

And this obviously excludes the millions of people running custom ROMs, most of which are JB.

 

[ToxicBunny]

LOL... is this some sick joke?

The iPhone 5 is the most expensive phone money can buy & even most people in Nigeria and India knows this.

Notice the bit in brackets?

Yes, I know from a retail customer point of view that its not usually the best, though the CellC deal is pretty high up... but I'm on corporate billing and get corporate packages as well, and it just so happens that from what i can get, the iPhone 5 was the best phone at the best price.

 

[AlphaJohn]

And this obviously excludes the millions of people running custom ROMs, most of which are JB.

Nope, include them, Google use play market data to compile this. What it does exclude is all the phones and devices not accessing the play store.

 

[mercurial]

Nope, include them, Google use play market data to compile this. What it does exclude is all the phones and devices not accessing the play store.

Okay. Good to know.

 

[AlphaJohn]

Okay. Good to know.

Cool.

Also good to note is the fact that the data is only gathered for "short" sample periods so could thereby also exclude all devices that did not access the store in the time they gathered the data.

See the second paragraph on the link:

Current Distribution

The following pie chart and table is based on the number of Android devices that have accessed Google Play within a 14-day period ending on the data collection date noted below.

---------

Data collected during a 14-day period ending on February 4, 2013

 

[jannievanzyl]

Well said: I don't have to respond

Actually you do.

Please reconcile your view that ICS is selling Android if the majority of Android phones are still on 2.3. And still shipping.

Why are the manufacturers not upgrading all these devices to ICS or JB?

 

[JimboBob]

Why are the manufacturers not upgrading all these devices to ICS or JB?

Uhh...marketing? What's the easiest way to get a major OS upgrade on your latest and greatest handset? Just hold back until your latest and greatest handset is ready for market, that's how! And it's free!

Samsung blatantly does this and it started from the move from GSI to the GSII and carries on even now with the release of the GSIV which will release with....drum roll please....Android 4.2. For heavens sake there's even leaked stories about a cool 'new' feature that lets you takes pictures that are nearly 3D like called the Samsung Orb....?! Didn't Google create that?! wasn't that called Photo Sphere?!

So yes, Android versions have SADLY become a selling feature which the cell providers are even punting in their ads...
I'm not sure why though because surely the general public have no idea what version is what?

Anyway...answer is, get a Nexus (or iOS) because there's no pesky cell provider 'TESTING' (insert large amount of sarcasm!) which means you can download and use OS updates immediately.