Google's latest mobile OS, Android 6.0 Marshmallow, has been installed on just over 15 percent of Android devices within 10 months.
Google released Android 6.0 Marshmallow in October 2015 and the Nexus 5X and 6P were the first mobile devices to come running on the OS. Nexus devices were also the first to get a software update, followed by non-Nexus devices made by other companies such as Samsung, HTC, LG and more.
Android Marshmallow brings a number of new features to the table: better battery management, individual app permissions and more, enhancing the overall user experience.
"This release introduces new power-saving optimizations for idle devices and apps. These features affect all apps so make sure to test your apps in these new modes," says Android.
Sure, many Android device owners are waiting for the OS, but according to data revealed by Google, the adoption rate for Android 6.0 Marshmallow is just 15.2 percent as of Aug. 1.
Google says about 35.5 percent of all Android devices are still running on Android 5.0 Lollipop and 29.2 percent on Android 4.4 KitKat. The rest of the Android devices in use have Android Jelly Bean or earlier installed on them.
Mobile devices are used for many activities, including financial transactions that make these devices prone to hacking attacks. Google wants Android device makers to release the latest software to smartphones and tablets as soon as possible. However, mobile device manufacturers, as well as individual carriers, can take their own time and decide when to roll out updates to their versions of the handsets and tablets.
A previous Tech Times report highlighted that Google has prepared a list of Android mobile device vendors with a timeline of when they should roll out Android software updates to their devices. Google has kept the list private, but it is planning to shame vendors who do not release Android updates in a timely manner.
The company is said to be working with carriers around the world to reduce lengthy waiting times for software updates.
Comparatively, Google's rival, Apple, has a better adoption rate of iOS on iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. Apple released iOS 9 in September 2015 and, according to the company, about 86 percent of all iDevices were running on the new OS till July 18 this year. Apple also revealed that 11 percent of iDevices are running on iOS 8 and the remaining on earlier versions.
Google is expected to release its next mobile OS in October this year. Hopefully, more Android devices will be able to install Android 6.0 Marshmallow before the release of Android 7.0 Nougat.
Photo: Takahiro Yamagiwa | Flickr
