Android now the world’s dominant OS, surpassing Windows

[snakeair]

That's odd, I don't own a droid.

According to StatCounter, the Android operating system has now passed Microsoft Windows as the leading OS globally. The data reflect “total internet usage across desktop, laptop, tablet and mobile combined.”

Android’s global OS share was 37.93 percent compared to 37.91 percent for Windows. However, in North America, Windows had a 39.5 percent share, which was followed by iOS (25.7 percent) and Android (21.2 percent). In Europe, Windows’ share was 51.7 percent and Android’s 23.6 percent.

Continued at: http://marketingland.com/android-now...windows-211024

[techguy99]

This goes to show how many people now access the internet from their phone rather than a desktop PC. It also shows how important it is to ensure your website works well on mobile devices.
I have 2 Android devices a phone and a tablet, and might buy a setup box running Android to plugin to my TV for watching streaming videos

[transitaddress]

That is true..but it will change after some time,ios and windows both are working on the changes and developments in their os

[jaybryant]

Well windows machines is reduced to do office tasks(MS word,Excel) Most people using Android devices are either browsing ,on social media, Youtube and playing games. Not to mention Androids has the cheapest hardware out there.

[Dittleatized1982]

Does it mean that Android in the most popular in Asia?

[shibaa987]

Well, this does not really show Android is dominant rather it shows how much people are using mobile phones as compared to Desktops now a days.

One more point is, Android being cheaper in price and hence has successfully reached to almost all kind of consumers, I mean lowend market, mid range and also high-end. You see, iOS can never do this because it is majorly targeted at high-end users only.

That's purely my opinion and I don't have a third party source to point to prove my statement.

[Miguel Portela]

This is true because in most developing countries people don't own a PC or a laptop.
That is what is inflating the numbers of the android usage.

What is funny to me is that although there are many more androids in terms of os being used the app market from apple sells many more apps than android one.

[Registernuke]

In regards to the opening thread, this was really just an eventuality since as the article stated "Android’s global win over Windows is largely a function of developing markets, specifically in Asia, where smartphones have eclipsed PC ownership." The ratio of phones to desktops in most households today favor mobile devices. In addition android mobile devices are usually cheaper in price compared to Apple's devices so there is the edge towards Android's global usage.

Something else to think about too is that I know many people who give their old phones to their younger kids/siblings despite the phone not having a cellular plan. The kids can't make calls but they can surf the web via Wifi, download apps and in other words make use of the Android OS. This just adds to the Android Usage as well.

[vaguar]

Originally Posted by Miguel Portela

This is true because in most developing countries people don't own a PC or a laptop.
That is what is inflating the numbers of the android usage.

What is funny to me is that although there are many more androids in terms of os being used the app market from apple sells many more apps than android one.

Yes, more than half of internet users (55%) use it on mobile here in India & majority of them (over 90%) do so on an Android device. In fact internet on Android is how most of these guys have experienced the internet for first time. They're part of a mass majority who cannot afford PCs so Android's dominance will continue to grow.

[HTMLBasicTutor]

Originally Posted by vaguar

They're part of a mass majority who cannot afford PCs so Android's dominance will continue to grow.

Not to sound mean - If they can't afford a PC or laptop how do they afford a smart phone? Smart phones can cost the same as a cheap PC or laptop here. At least if you have a laptop you can do to a coffee shop or the library and use their WIFI thus saving money on data fees.

[snakeair]

I know people who don't own a laptop or a desktop. They invested in an android phone and do there stuff on the phone and even from places that offer free wifi. I really don't need to use my laptop other then to post on forums and have easy access to my moderating tools.

Phones are getting so much better and I remember when Android was not well known, no one thought they would be this popular right now.

[vaguar]

Originally Posted by HTMLBasicTutor

Not to sound mean - If they can't afford a PC or laptop how do they afford a smart phone? Smart phones can cost the same as a cheap PC or laptop here. At least if you have a laptop you can do to a coffee shop or the library and use their WIFI thus saving money on data fees.

Check this out https://www.flipkart.com/intex-aqua-...BEG58KCVYRUVGY

It's a 30 US$ smartphone. It's the kind of device people in remote rural India use to get their first Internet experience. I doubt there are PCs as cheap as that. There are no cafés or WiFi in these regions. People save up for these phones, use prepaid plans & recharge only when they have the money.

[HTMLBasicTutor]

Originally Posted by vaguar

Check this out https://www.flipkart.com/intex-aqua-...BEG58KCVYRUVGY

It's a 30 US$ smartphone. It's the kind of device people in remote rural India use to get their first Internet experience. I doubt there are PCs as cheap as that. There are no cafés or WiFi in these regions. People save up for these phones, use prepaid plans & recharge only when they have the money.

That is pretty cheap in comparison to what it costs in North America!

[vaguar]

Originally Posted by HTMLBasicTutor

That is pretty cheap in comparison to what it costs in North America!

Companies tend to play the volume game here. Ridiculously low prices, but also ridiculously high volumes.

[FabioCapello]

Originally Posted by HTMLBasicTutor

Not to sound mean - If they can't afford a PC or laptop how do they afford a smart phone? Smart phones can cost the same as a cheap PC or laptop here. At least if you have a laptop you can do to a coffee shop or the library and use their WIFI thus saving money on data fees.

This is a question that cell phone manufacturers such as samsung and huawei already tackled by making available fairly inexpensive smart phones in those markets. There are alot of samsung brands that you dont see in U.S or Canadian markets but are available in third world market. The Chinese maker huawei, sells a lot of cheap smart phones in these markets but not much in developed Countries. If you go to the villages of Africa today , you will find quite a bit of people with smart phones. Access to Internet is sold in bundles . Pay as you go. Also there is robust market for second hand cell phones from western Countries. Some of these phones are given as donations but people end up selling them for cheap. Today, an average person in a third world country has access to a smart phone within their means.