Fragmentation of Apple's App Store

Apple has reported that it has its own fragmentation problem. While not nearly the size of Google’s Android OS, it does present some issues. Fragmentation is a term that is used to describe the situation when a combination of software and hardware no longer have a consistent, top-level experience its user-base. The cause when there is a near finite combination of software and hardware is available to consumers.

The cause of fragmentation can vary, but in the realm of mobile devices it centers more around capabilities of the hardware and software mix. For instance, with Android many times the phone’s hardware cannot perform the features that the software provides for, and many phones are sold at an older software version. In Apple’s situation with its App Store fragmentation it is a situation of users not upgrading to the latest iOS version. In the end fragmentation of any kind creates an inconsistent experience and app ecosystem.

So why does Apple have this issue? Apple does not have the wide variety of OS versions nor hardware versions available that Android does. There are only three iPhone models available. If Apple continues its trend it will obsolete the iPhone 4 and deliver an upgraded version of the iPhone, one with modest improvements but enhanced software features through the iOS7 update. Mobile device manufacturers work hard to provide cutting edge features and capabilities with each upgrade. The problem is that some iOS users do not upgrade their software, but the answer may be simpler then some would guess.

There are cases were users fear updates due to the idea of loosing contacts, calendar information, or pictures. Real or imagined, many users would just opt out rather than risk loosing such personal information. For iOS this has the net effect of limiting certain apps users can purchase. App developers love to work on the latest capabilities both hardware and software. They look forward to exploiting the newest features and delivering fantastic concepts. These apps cannot make it to an iPhone that is running older software.

To combat this Apple highlighted the issue in a graph that clearly shows the majority of users, approximately 93%, at iOS6. This is a signal to designers to develop for iOS 7. Apple is hoping this will encourage users to upgrade washing out older legacy software.