Google Chrome is dropping support for Android Jelly Bean. With an upcoming update, the popular browser will increase its minimum API level from Android 4.1 to Android 4.4 KitKat.
Chrome is the default browser for stock Android, and is popular with the majority of Android users out there. With the ability to sync browsing data between devices, it is a vital internet surfing app used by many around the world.
While this may not be a big deal for smartphone owners who lives on the bleeding edge, users using phones running on Android Jelly Bean versions 4.1 to 4.3 still commands about 3.2% of the total Android user base. With an estimated 2.3 billion Android devices in the market, that’s over 70 million devices still running on an OS version released six years ago.
The new change date of the API requirements hasn’t been disclosed yet, but it’s likely that the switch will be executed sometime soon. For those who rely on Chrome and are still on Jelly Bean devices, you may want to upgrade your OS to Kit Kat, or find an alternative browser for your browsing needs.
(Source: XDADevelopers)
