Google has released the latest Android mobile operating system (OS) usage data, revealing which version of the platform is doing duty on users’ mobile devices. These figures were compiled from data Google collected during a week long period that ended on 2 December 2013.

It reveals that the latest iteration of the world’s most popular mobile platform - Android 4.4 (KitKat) - is doing duty on a measly 1.1% of all Android-powered mobile devices. This whilst its older brother, Android 4.1 - 4.3 (Jelly Bean), has now attained a whopping 54.5% usage stake.

This rise in the fortune of Jelly Bean has coincided with the decline of former darling of the smartphone realm - Android 2.3.3 - 2.3.7 (Gingerbread) - whose share has decreased from 26.3% last month to 24.1% currently. Also melting in the heat of Jelly Bean’s popularity is Android 4.0.3 - 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich), as its usage share drops from 19.8% to 18.6%.

We don’t know which tablet users are still providing Android 3.2 (Honeycomb) with a lifeline at an unchanged 0.1% usage share, while Android 2.2 (Froyo) also has issues with retirement as it clings onto the remaining 1.6%.

Source: Android Developer’s website

In related news, check out our Android Apps of the month (December 2013) here.