Tech giant 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 two week period that ended on 2 October 2013.

Android Jelly Bean (Android 4.1 - 4.3) already has its eyes on the significant 50% usage rate, raising its share from 45.1% last month to 48.6% currently. Contributing to Jelly Bean’s usage uptake is the decline of the once dominant Android Gingerbread (Android 2.3.3 - 2.3.7), as it sees it stake decrease from 30.7% in September to 28.5%.

Also hitting the down arrow on the Android usage elevator is Android Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0.3 - 4.0.4), as its popularity is melting in Jelly Bean’s adoption heat. ICS sees its usage stake drop from 22.5% last month to 20.6% currently.

The tablet-only Android Honeycomb (Android 3.2) still clings on for relevance finding itself on life support, with a usage share of 0.1%. Hopefully we will soon see Honeycomb and fellow Android veteran Froyo (Android 2.2) both making their way to the Android retirement village. Froyo experienced a slight usage share decline from 2.4% to 2.2%.   

Source: Android Developer’s website

Check out our Android Apps of the month (October 2013) here.