In a recent review of Android Lollipop adoption rates by the Android Developers Dashboard, only 18 percent of all devices are currently running on Google's latest mobile OS.

On the other hand, Apple's App Store Distribution page reported that the company's latest mobile OS has now been installed on 85 percent of all iOS devices, according to CNet.com.

iOS 8 may have had a head start in the race as it was released last September, while Android Lollipop was made available in November.

But the question is, why is Google's latest software flavor lagging behind its Apple rival?

The main answer lies in the two companies' distribution process for their respective operating systems.

By and large, Apple controls the entire process of rolling out its latest iOS version, including incremental updates. The company creates, tests, and deploys a new OS, making it readily available for all users at the same time.

On the other hand, Android faces the dilemma of "having too many cooks in the kitchen" in the distribution of its newest software. In short, its distribution process is more complex, making it more difficult to get into the hands of users.

First, Google must first create and test a new version of Android. Then mobile manufacturers do their own testing and certification. Finally, mobile carriers come in to deploy the latest Android version.

This complicated system of creating and sending out the latest Android software leads to "fragmentation." As mobile makers are farming out the updated OS, a new version is already available, making it a game of catch-up for the companies.

Based on the latest Android Developers Dashboard review, even though Lollipop is catching up in adoption with its prior edition, KitKat still leads at 39.3 percent.

This is the same scenario for KitKat's precursor, Jelly Bean, which still holds a 33.6 percent adoption rate. And even the software's earlier versions - Ice Cream Sandwich and Gingerbread - hold shares of 4.1 percent and 4.6 percent, respectively.

But despite the seemingly slow adoption rates of its latest software updates, Android Lollipop's reviews have been positive, according to Alphyr.

The technology site noted that the Android Lollipop is a "major step forward" for Google's mobile OS and could further strengthen Android's leadership in the smartphone and compact-table market with the updated software's new features, improved performance and battery life.

And with the release of Android Lollipop 5.1, Google has demonstrated that it doesn't sit on its laurels. With its handful of small but essential improvements, the latest software version should make your Android devices feel "a little bit snappier."

These Android Lollipop reviews should encourage Google to further step up its game.