Is it too early for Jelly Bean?

Picture taken from CNET

The issue of fragmentation has plagued Android from the start, and just a mere 9 months after the release of the Galaxy Nexus, a new version of Android has come abroad, 4.1 Jelly Bean. Nine months from the beginning of Ice Cream Sandwich, no more than three months on other flagship phones, and the update process is to begin again. The Samsung Galaxy S II has been updated in April of 2012 in Canada, and less than 10% of consumers are running ICS on their device. Is it too soon to make another update?

Though a smaller update, Jelly Bean is evidently longed for from every consumer. No one wants to be stuck with the same boring version, and updates are begged for. 64% of consumers still run 2.3.3 Gingerbread, which came out in 2011! 

Jelly Bean brings new features such as Google Ears, Google Now, Project Butter, an improved notification system and much more. As of today, Google Ears can be downloaded onto any phone by installing the .apk file. Google Now can be downloaded, but with many limitations. Voice search cannot be used, and force closes plague the app. Project Butter focuses on the smoothness of the device, minimizing the amount of lag experienced. I'm sure everyone would like a smooth device, with no lags when playing games such as N.O.V.A. or the classic Angry Birds. This is not available though, and can only be achieved with an update through the manufacturer and carrier.

I'm sure Jelly Bean brings many functions in which many will enjoy, but how many are to enjoy it when updates take at least 9 months to push through? With only 10% enjoying ICS, even fewer will get to experience the smoothness of the operating system they advertise with Jelly Bean. I suspect that only 5% will be updated to Jelly Bean of the 10% on ICS before the next update. Updates are coming too frequently, and manufacturers are failing to keep up to pace. 

We love the updates Google, but please, slow it down so many consumers will be able to enjoy the operating system they currently have.