According to the independent web analytics company StatCounter, Google's Android has edged out Windows to become the most popular operating system in the world, in terms of total internet usage across desktop, laptop, tablet and phone use combined.
In other words, there are now more people worldwide using Android (mobile) devices than Windows to access the internet. In March 2017, Android took 37.93-percent of the worldwide market share, barely eclipsing Windows' 37.91-percent.
While that margin is slim, it does represent the end of Windows' dominant era and a dramatic shift in consumer behavior. By StatCounter's estimation, Android held just 2.4-percent of the global internet usage market share a mere five years ago.
Note that these statistics represent worldwide market share – they don't necessarily mirror all major markets. In North America, for example, Windows has a 39.5-percent share followed by iOS with 25.7-percent. However, Android takes 52.2-percent of the share in Asia, while Windows has only 29.2-percent.
When it comes to desktop software specifically, Windows still dominates the market, with an 84-percent internet usage share. But thanks to the rise of the smartphone and as highlighted by worldwide statistics, desktop internet use is clearly on the decline.
Source: StatCounter
