Android 5.0 Lollipop is now running on 9 percent of Android devices — nearly double the number from just a month ago. It's very likely the stats may double again come June, given that the mobile OS is steadily becoming more available for Android smartphones and tablets.
Google's latest analytics regarding mobile OS activity reflect Android devices that are accessing the Google Play Store. Android 5.1 Lollipop will likely come into play next month as it debuts on Nexus devices, and it will be followed by the Android M.
The Android platform chart also reveals statistics of earlier Android software versions. KitKat, which boasted 41.4 percent share of devices last month, dipped to 39.8 percent in May. Jelly Bean had a similar fate, going from 40.7 percent to 39.2 percent. Android 2.2 Froyo is heading to the pastures, hitting 0.3 percent install percentage and will likely drop off the statistic chart within a month.
In announcing the initial availability of Android 5.0 Lollipop, the Android developer community described it as the "largest and most ambitious release," offering a slew of new features and thousands of APIs. The features are extensive and allow songs, apps and even search efforts on one Android device to be shared among others. There are more battery-saving features and a smart lock to secure the device with another trusted device, such as a car or a wearable device.
The Android 5.0 Lollipop release extends beyond just smartphones to wearables, tablets, TVs and even automobiles. One new feature includes a brand-new 3D view and built-in activity transitions. It all makes for a more powerful, smoother and swifter experience.
The number of devices, from smartphones to tablets to TVs, running Android 5.0 Lollipop will clearly surpass 10 percent on the next statistical graph, as updates have been arriving fast and furious.
Just about three weeks ago, Samsung debuted its highly anticipated and acclaimed Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge smartphones. They arrived with Android 5.0 Lollipop right out of the box, shortly after Samsung began releasing the next version, Android 5.1.1. That version offers up a guest mode feature which allows another person to use the same device.
But while Samsung's newest smartphones may be getting most of the attention, its Galaxy S5 is still going strong, with all the top U.S. carriers releasing the Android 5.0 Lollipop update for the handset. The update is also taking place at a rapid rate abroad, as users in Ireland, Columbia, Italy, New Zealand and Croatia are just getting the Android 5.0 Lollipop update. Big update activity is still expected in Australia, as Galaxy S5 users there haven't gotten access as of yet.
Owners of the Galaxy S4, on the Verizon network, are just starting to get the Android 5.0 Lollipop update as are those on AT&T's network.
