Gingerbread shares fall and Jelly Bean's rise as Google changes data collection method

The number of Jelly Bean devices being activated is growing at an impressive speeds, it has emerged. Google has updated its Platform Versions page to show a widely different scenario of Android platform shares from last month. The company has also devised a new, more accurate way of gauging its users.

One in every four Android device now runs Android version 4.1 or 4.2 Jelly Bean. From a mere 12 percent in February to 16.5 percent last month, Jelly Bean has grown at a breakneck speed to stand tall at 25 percent this month. Jelly Bean 4.1 obviously has more users and stands at 23 percent while Jelly Bean 4.2 holds 2 percent share over the Android market.

As expected, Ice Cream Sandwich adoptions are on shaky grounds. While this month ICS adoptions have surprisingly gone up by nearly one percent to 29.3, it is still not reaching the 30 percent mark, and probably never will. The decline of ICS was imminent and the two Jelly Bean versions will in all probability establish their dominance within the next couple of months.

Goodbye Gingerbread, hello Jelly Bean

The good news is that Gingerbread shares have fallen massively compared to last month. The number of devices still running on Android version 2.3 Gingerbread have gone down from 44.2 percent last month to just under 40 percent this month.  This is a landmark event as it is finally looking like the most-loved Android platform is finally fading away and making way for the newer versions to take over.

Of course, the first thing everyone has noticed with these figures are that they’re wildly different from the previous months’ almost stable metrics. Here’s why: Google has changed the way it gauges data on Android Platforms.

Earlier, Google would collect statistics on Android device usage by keeping a tally of automated check-ins devices made to the Google server. Now, Google collects data from devices when users access the Google Play Store to download apps. On the page announcing the change, Google said, “We believe the new data more accurately reflects those users who are most engaged in the Android and Google Play ecosystem.”

Understandably, this data is aimed at Android developers who want to make the most out of designing apps for Android versions that reach the most users. While it does not paint the most accurate picture of how many devices exist for a particular version in reality, the developers now have a fair idea about which version is favourable.

The stage is all set now for Android version 5.0 Key Lime Pie. What is most interesting is that besides its closest predecessors Jelly Bean and Ice Cream sandwich, KLP will also have to compete against the dying Gingerbread to capture market shares.

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