We were able to quantify that indeed Apple’s iOS
is the platform with the least fragmentation (on
average four versions per app), as has been
widely noted from empirical evidence in the
past. Apple manages fragmentation through two
primary means: first, it has standardised the
screen size and resolution for its handsets and
tablets; and second, as an OEM and platform
vendor, it has commercially streamlined the
means by which most iPhone or iPad users are
upgraded to the latest OS version.
In contrast, our research indicates that Android developers must create six versions of
their apps on average, which is on par with mobile web apps.
The stark difference in fragmentation across Apple and Android devices is also evident
amongst the different platform versions in the installed base of devices. According to
Google data released on May 2011, 25% of active Android handsets run on platform
versions more than 18 months out of date. Meanwhile, according to app analytics firm
Localytics, only 20% of existing Apple 3GS devices had not yet been upgraded, just two
months after the introduction of iOS4. In other words, Apple devices have the youngest
runtime age in the mobile industry
> In contrast, our research indicates that Android developers must create six versions of their apps on average.
That part makes no sense to me. I've never seen a single app in the Android Market that has 6 different versions. And it would probably be obvious. The Market will hide apps that aren't compatible with your device, but each app still has to have a separate, unique name.
The most versions of a single app I've been able to find is TouchDown, which has 3 versions: 1 for Android 1.x devices, 1 for Android 2.x devices, and 1 for MobileIron customers. The third version arguably would still exist even if there were only a single Android handset. http://www.appbrain.com/browse/dev/NitroDesk%2C+Inc.
Anyone have a concrete example of an Android app with 6 versions in the Market?
They're probably also counting the bastardized content pack thingy many people used instead of In-App purchase where you buy/download other items on the store for levels or whatnot.
We were able to quantify that indeed Apple’s iOS is the platform with the least fragmentation (on average four versions per app), as has been widely noted from empirical evidence in the past. Apple manages fragmentation through two primary means: first, it has standardised the screen size and resolution for its handsets and tablets; and second, as an OEM and platform vendor, it has commercially streamlined the means by which most iPhone or iPad users are upgraded to the latest OS version.
In contrast, our research indicates that Android developers must create six versions of their apps on average, which is on par with mobile web apps. The stark difference in fragmentation across Apple and Android devices is also evident amongst the different platform versions in the installed base of devices. According to Google data released on May 2011, 25% of active Android handsets run on platform versions more than 18 months out of date. Meanwhile, according to app analytics firm Localytics, only 20% of existing Apple 3GS devices had not yet been upgraded, just two months after the introduction of iOS4. In other words, Apple devices have the youngest runtime age in the mobile industry