Roger Fingas
Google's Android is now the most popular OS in the world across all hardware platforms, having barely overtaken Microsoft Windows in March, according to Web analytics research published on Monday.
Android managed 37.93 percent versus Windows's 37.91, according to StatCounter. Apple's iOS was a distant third at only 13.09 percent, while macOS/OS X took just 5.17 percent.
Windows marketshare has been on a steady decline since 2012, when it was running on over 80 percent of internet-connected devices. In the same timespan Android has been on the rise, beginning at just 2.4 percent. iOS use has increased, while Mac numbers have fallen slightly.
StatCounter CEO Aodhan Cullen linked the current situation to the growing popularity of smartphones, the decline of desktop and laptop computers, and the importance of the high-population Asian market. Android's fragmentation by version of operating system is not addressed in the metrics.
In North America, Windows retained its lead with a 39.5 percent share, followed by iOS at 25.7 percent, and Android at 21.2 percent. Within Europe, Windows took 51.7 percent, placing Android a distant second at 23.6.
The Asian market was firmly Android territory, with Google's OS hitting 52.2 percent versus Microsoft's 29.2.
In China Apple's iPhone recently slid to fifth place in the battle against local Android-based smartphone brands Huawei, Oppo, Vivo, and Xiaomi. Those companies are often better able to compete on price, and are increasingly gunning towards the high-end market represented by the iPhone.
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
Andrew Orr
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Marko Zivkovic
Wesley Hilliard
96 Comments
When you're giving away devices and an OS for negative profit whilst stealing personal information and giving it to the government, you're sure to dominate marketshare. Sadly, you're not going to dominate profits not have any cash to do anything else.
It's the end of the world as we know it....and I feel fine.
REM
Fewer and fewer people want to be chained to a clunky laptop that is itself chained to the box that gives it access to the world...
But, the laptop hangs on -- and will -- because Apple and Google have yet to offer a viable alternative to the things that it does well (without also dealing with its chain-gang mentality).
... Steve! Wherever you are! Come Back! We need you!
There are more bicycles on the world's roads than Roll Royces, does this actually matter to Roll Royce?
I don't think "popular" is the correct word. Most used, yes. Most popular, doubtful. I bet most droiders settle for Android or don't know what OS they use.