iOS gains 2 percent in mobile web share, Android drops 2
updated 11:30 am EST, Tue December 4, 2012
Six-month tracking covers numerous device releases
Over a six-month period, iOS' mobile web share has grown 2 percent at the same time as Android's has dropped 2 percent, according to new tracking data from Chitika Insights. Covering May 27th through November 27th, the information shows iOS averaging about 65 percent, and Android roughly 35 percent. In the most recent figures, though, iOS is up to 67 percent, while Android is at 33.
A number of major device releases have happened over the course of the survey, such as the Galaxy S III, Nexus 7, iPad mini, fourth-gen iPad and iPhone 5. Chitika credits the S III with boosting Android's web share to 40 percent in late August. The recent switch in favor of Apple is attributed to the launch of the iPhone 5, and later, the new iPads. The iPads in particular are thought to be an important advantage, since Apple dominates the tablet market. The company also has iPod touch working in its favor, given that there being few other (dedicated) MP3 players which also have web access. Aside from hardware like the Nexus 7 or the Kindle Fire HD, Android's presence is almost exclusively on smartphones.
Chitika adds that the data suggests people don't often switch between mobile platforms. If so, the firm argues, Android device makers are more often competing with each other than against Apple.
