Every Month, Google release the latest Android platform distribution numbers showing the current state of Android versions distribution among devices that have recently checked-in the Play Store. Here's the numbers for the last month July,2014.

 

As expected, KitKat has grown a bit more, up to 20.9% now (was 17.9% last month), while Jelly Bean dropping from 56.5 to 54.2%. Still hanging above the 50% mark and encompassing 3 API levels, Jelly Bean is still in the lead.

 

 

Froyo is hanging tight at 0.7%, while Gingerbread has grown 0.1% to 13.6%. Ice Cream Sandwich is continuing its own decline, dropping to 10.6% from 11.4% last month.

 

 

VIA

Tags: android platform distribution july 2014 kitkat growing jelly bean still lead 

Mobile phones have come so far from the days of the Nokia 3310 that it almost seems unbelievable today. A concept like that of say the Galaxy S8 would have seemed like fan-fiction even a decade ago, but today it's a reality. Modern smartphones are essentially portable computers capable of doing most of the everyday tasks that was previously only possible for a PC or a Mac, and gaming is one of those things. Sure, the games are definitely not as hardcore or graphically intense as the ones designed for a console or a PC, but that's the beauty of it; they don't have to be. They are popular because they are relatively simple and you don't need a super-expensive and power-hungry PC/console and monitor/big screen TV combo to play them.

Expected Growth

If you had any doubts regarding how popular gaming on mobile phones has become, then consider the following statistics to clear those doubts for good.

• By the end of 2017, the gaming industry as a whole will reach a total worth of $108.9 billion
• Mobile games will account for 42% of that total market value by reaching $46.1 billion
• The stats will reflect a remarkable 19% YOY growth for the mobile gaming industry
• The share of the mobile gaming business could surpass 50% of the gaming industry's total worth by the year 2020

What is Fuelling this Rapid Growth?

There are so many factors contributing directly to this swift growth of the mobile gaming industry that it would be easier to explain if they were separated in specific points.

Mobiles are Cheaper

The Android revolution has made mobiles cheaper and since last year, even the most basic $100 phones have started to provide decent and playable gaming performances; something that was unthinkable even in 2014 or early 2015. Additionally, even a flagship smartphone like the Galaxy S8+ or the iPhone 7 Plus is significantly cheaper than a high-end gaming PC. You can argue that a console is cheaper but then you would have to consider the fact that they are typically gaming-only devices, while a smartphone is a portable console, a camera, a phone and so much more.

The Perfect Platform for Online Gamblers

Games like Sizzling Hot are extremely popular among online gamblers and a smartphone allows them to play all of their favorite slot and card games from anywhere in the world. In fact, most online casinos even have dedicated Android and iOS apps to make the experience even smoother for their patrons.

Wider Reach

Everybody has a smartphone now and that's one of the most important reasons as to why mobile gaming is the future. It is so much easier for app developers to reach their customers for that specific reason. Paying for apps, games, bets and in-app purchases are also much easier to do on the phone and surveys have confirmed that people prefer it that way.

Finally, we come to the last reason and that's not only related to the rise of the mobile gaming industry but it is also one of the premier causes responsible for the ever-increasing popularity of the smartphones themselves. They are just so much more comfortable to use than laptops or desktops! You can play games for hours on a phone while travelling or lying on the bed. As mobile phones continue to become more and more advanced with each passing year, they are more than likely to establish themselves as the future standard for portable gaming.

Tags: android platform distribution july 2014 kitkat growing jelly bean still lead mobile gaming industry growing fast