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 1 November 2013.

With the arrival of Android 4.4 (KitKat), its predecessor - Android 4.1 - 4.3 (Jelly Bean) -  is finally powering one out of every two (52.1%) Android-running mobile devices, up from a usage stake of 48.6% last month.

The decline of both Android Gingerbread (Android 2.3.3 - 2.3.7) and Android Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0.3 - 4.0.4) contributed towards Jelly Bean’s growth. The former now has a usage share of 26.3% (down from 28.5%), whilst the latter’s share melted slightly from 20.6% to 19.8% currently.

The tablet-only Android Honeycomb (Android 3.2) refuses to be put out to pasture as it clings on for dear life to its minute usage share of 0.1%. Honeycomb’s fellow Android veteran, namely Android 2.2 (Froyo), also sees its usage stake contract from 2.2% to 1.7% over the course of October.  

Source: Android Developer’s website

In other mobile related news, MTN recently announced that it will be offering Apple’s iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c smartphones to local customers starting on 15 November.