This site may earn affiliate commissions from the links on this folio. Terms of use.

It was merely a few weeks ago when web analytics firm StatCounter predicted Android would overtake Windows as the nigh popular operating system online. Well, it didn't have long. The latest numbers from StatCounter show Android with a narrow lead over Windows. After less than nine years, Google's open source operating organization is bigger than Windows.

The numbers from terminal month placed Windows at 38.6% of web traffic, while Android was just backside information technology at 37.4%. The ii might become up or downwardly a little each month, but the overall trend was up for Android and down for Windows. That's what happened in the last few weeks, apparently. Android is now on top with a 37.93% share of web traffic, and Windows has fallen to 37.91%. Information technology's a tiny lead for Android right now, only information technology's probable to proceed growing.

"This is a milestone in applied science history and the end of an era," according to StatCounter CEO Aodhan Cullen. Windows online usage was yet over lxxx% as recently as 2012. That was back in the era of Windows 7 and Android 4.0 Ice Foam Sandwich. Android was still in the unmarried digits then, even lower than Apple tree's iOS, which has remained steady at just shy of x% for years. Android's online presence was defective non only because of lower sales, but due to the more limited nature of the platform.

os_mar_2012_2017_ww

Android has achieved this growth without any presence in the traditional PC grade cistron. Consumers simply don't buy as many laptops, and the machines are used for longer when they do. Smartphones get much more than usage, and tend to exist upgraded every year or two. Android device makers already send more units than Windows PC retailers, just now they're actually accounting for more usage.

If there'south a bright spot in all this for Microsoft, it's that online activity in some regions still favors the desktop. In North America, Windows is withal in the lead, with 39.five% usage and iOS in second identify at 25.7%. Android is in third with 21.1%. Europe is 51.7% Windows with simply 23.7% Android. It'southward the rest of the world that helps Android make up the difference, including a whopping 52.2% share of web activity in Asia.

Windows usage volition probably continue declining, but only to a betoken. As long as powerful desktop operating systems are better for getting piece of work done, people will utilise them. However, the increasing capabilities and affordability of Android should requite Microsoft reason to worry about the future. Linux might win after all.

Now read: 25 best Android tips to make your telephone more than useful