image - Why is the GIF file format discouraged in Android? -

one of lint warnings under "usability:icons" header in recent lint report included following message:

gifusage: using .gif format bitmaps discouraged

(code references omitted)

the .gif file format discouraged. consider using .png (preferred) or .jpg (acceptable) instead.

more info: http://developer.android.com/guide/topics/resources/drawable-resource.html#bitmap

i'm assuming due (quality) limitations of gif format (e.g. supports 256 colours), rather licensing or technical limitations. currently, i'm using couple of gifs ease of packaging simple animations app.

is there "official" explanation link why gifs discouraged? reference provided in lint output doesn't elaborate on why.