Windows has remained one of the most popular operating systems online for a very long time due to the fact that there are countless Windows-powered PCs out in the market. However, if latest data from web analytics company StatCounter is believed, Windows has been overtaken by Android in online usage. The figures that it presents shows that Android has edged ahead of Windows for the first time ever as far as online usage is concerned.
StatCounter collects its data from a tracking code that’s placed on more than 2.5 million global websites that bring in billions of pageviews every month. The data is then analyzed based on browser, operating system, and screen resolution of the device being used.
This enables StatCounter to ascertain the number of pageviews coming from mobile devices and conventional PCs. It refers to internet usage as the instances of websites being accessed and not the number of devices that are connected to the internet. The number also doesn’t represent individual users of these platforms that are accessing the internet.
The graph shows that in March 2012, Windows devices accounted for more than 80 percent of online usage compared to Android which represented less than 10 percent. The crossover is seen taking place in March 2017 which Android climbing on top with 37.93 percent and Windows taking second place with 37.91 percent. It’s not a significant difference but it’s notable given that this is the first time this has happened.
It will be interesting to see if a bigger difference is developed between the two platforms over the coming months.