OS web wars: it's still a two-horse race

Stephen Withers
Tuesday, 03 March 2009 06:18

Business IT - Networking

There are also signs of growing diversity in platforms used to access the web, as the report's "Other" category has gone from 0.09 percent in March 2007 to 0.52 percent last month.

If we turn away from the desktop and look specifically at mobile platforms, the pattern is broadly similar: a clear leader followed by a bunch of also rans.

As you might guess, the leader is Apple's iPhone, which represents almost 67 percent of the mobile browser market.

Not as dominant as Windows is on the desktop, but such a large lead that it should not be ignored by any web developer that has an eye to the mobile market.

Remember, Net Applications' figures don't measure the number of devices out there. Instead, they analyse the destinations of web pages served up by an extensive list of sites.

So if a platform is widely used but not to visit web sites, it would be shown with a low web share.

It's been apparent for some time that not only are there a lot of iPhones (and iPod touches) in use, but their owners are relatively keen surfers.

The runner-up is Java ME on 9.06 percent. This probably represents a large installed base with relatively low web use.

Next comes Windows Mobile on 6.91 percent, followed by Symbian and Android both on 6.15 percent.

Since Android is a new arrival with a small range of phones and limited geographic availability, this does suggest that owners are keen web users.

Reaching 6 percent in February 2009 from a standing start in October 2008 is quite an achievement.

Interested in the breakdown by browser? See page 3.