The initial reports and peek reviews of the Android M have been quite encouraging. However, so it was with the Lollipop and data shows that over the last one year, the penetration or those upgrading to the Lollipop is just over 20%. It means users are not very keen to upgrade from their existing OS and are in no hurry as well.
Google’s struggle with fragmentation
The trend has been like this ever since Google came out with its first Android version in the year 2008. The Alpha, Beta versions came and were named after yummy delicacies like the Cupcake, Froyo, Gingerbread, Ice Cream Sandwich, Jelly Bean and Lollipop.
Google has been having a tough time moving or upgrading users each time from one OS to the other. The open source system of Android has no doubt helped them garner a huge market share but it has come with its problems of fragmentation that Google is trying hard to shake off.
So the question now is, how many will upgrade from the Lollipop to the Android M, notwithstanding the sweet name Google may give it?
The installation percentage or users of Kit Kat which was the OS prior to the Lollipop, is around the 30% mark and the rest have OS versions like the Jelly Bean and even older ones still running their Android. That would mean the hardware configuration of their phones would not be able to support an installation like the Android M even if the user wants to upgrade. In fact, that may be the reason to also why many have still not upgraded to the Kit Kat or to the Lollipop.
The Android M release around December is supposed to be a Christmas gift by Google but this gift may not find many takers initially due to the constraints mentioned above and that is not good news for Google.
Enhanced security, notifications, supports wearable devices
The Android M is expected to be far more robust in terms of security and the notifications feature improvement too will be as per the demand of the users. This OS will be supporting wearable devices to the best extent possible but all these added benefits may still not be perceived to be game changing by the users.
Under the circumstances, Google has no choice but to ensure that the process of educating users about the benefits of the new OS starts early enough. They should not launch the Android M and hope that people will move to it. This time maybe, they can try a different approach and talk about the advantages in greater detail than keeping it under wraps until the last moment.
Users may oblige this time around
Given the fact that many of the users are far more aware of the differences in benefits between different OS, there is reason to believe this time the response to the Android M maybe much better. Many users may also change their device to be able to support the new OS, now that it is over 3-4 years that they have been using their current handset and OS.
