Google’s Android is an open source platform which is used in a lot of smartphones and tablets, all contributing to Android growth and domination.  But this broad variety of devices using the Android platform also contributes to the OS’s fragmentation.

At present, Android 2.2 aka Froyo dominates Android-based devices at 45.3%.  Google’s goal is to upgrade all Android phones to Gingerbread, the latest version of their mobile platform.  But the roll out of updates is taking too long, because of the variety of devices.  Google, manufacturers and carriers have to customize the platform for each particular device.

But Google’s most recent data suggests that Android 2.3.x Gingerbread distribution is rapidly gaining in popularity, seeing an almost 8% jump in the last two weeks, coming at the expense of Froyo.  Simply put, more consumers are updating their devices to the latest version of the platform.  Unfortunately, not everyone can upgrade their device as the upgrade is not available for all.

Looking to address fragmentation, Google will be launching Android Ice Cream Sandwich very soon.  This is probably the most important version of the platform as this OS will eliminate the need for two separate smartphone and tablet OS’s.  This new OS will allow Android tablets and smartphones to share the same interface, and apps and will be compatible to run even on older Android devices.  This new OS will replace the Gingerbread OS for smartphones and the Honeycomb for tablets.

Rumor has it that the new OS will feature an enhanced user interface with holographic visuals, a panel for multitasking, tabbed browsing, a new app launcher, facial recognition technology, an intelligent camera to track a user’s face, and a new USB hosting function.  The new Android 4.x Ice Cream is rumored to launch either this month or by November.