iPod touch web share triples as Windows reaches new low

[AppleInsider]

Web market share for the iPod touch has tripled in just five months, outpacing even the iPhone among mobile devices. Also, Windows' share has dropped to its lowest point since tracking began even as the Mac managed to hold its ground.

While the iPod touch in November accounted just 0.05 percent of all the use on the tens of thousands of websites tracked by stats firm Net Applications, its use has seen steady gains that put the touchscreen Wi-Fi device at 0.15 percent -- still small, but a threefold increase in its footprint in less than half a year.

iPhone share also grew substantially during the period but, despite having either 2G or 3G cellular Internet access, moved just one and a half times up from 0.37 percent of all web traffic to 0.55 percent.

The researchers don't attempt to explain the discrepancy themselves. However, the rapidly closing gap can be partly assigned to runaway sales of the iPod touch, which doubled in one year, even in the face of a poor economy and wider iPhone availability. Analysts have also noted that software from the App Store is driving iPod touch sales, while the player is also more affordable and more readily available. Customers aren't tied to a monthly service fee, aren't limited to particular cellphone carriers and don't have to live in certain countries.

As has been the case for a long time, Apple continues to have the largest share by far of all mobile operating systems; Java ME comes closest at 0.07 percent.

iPod touch web market share, ranging from 0.04 percent to 0.15 percent. | Image credits: Net Applications.

On the desktop, Apple isn't seeing quite the same explosive growth as in mobile but still has some reason to be content. Mac share dipped very slightly to 9.73 percent, but Windows continued its steeper descent and fell to 87.9 percent -- the first time the company has dipped below 88 percent since Net Applications started its tracking and part of a consistent long-term decline. The iPhone and iPod touch ate significant parts of this share but were also helped by Linux, which crested over the 1 percent mark for the first time.

It's important to note that the data doesn't directly translate to actual unit market share and can be swayed by usage patterns; more are likely to use their Macs and iPod touch players in December and January, for example, as they use home Macs, iPhones and iPods while on vacation or after receiving them as gifts. All the same, the results partly mirror a better than expected quarter for Apple, highlighted by the Cupertino-based company's ability to keep iPod and Mac sales steady during the single toughest economic slump in years.

[Stashman]

The less people using IE (any version) the better. I'm a web develop and it's a pain in the ass to make anything work/look right in.

[quinney]

Is it too soon to see the effect of all the Windows netbooks that are supposedly
being sold?

[aplnub]

Originally Posted by quinney

Is it too soon to see the effect of all the Windows netbooks that are supposedly
being sold?

Excellent question!

[cameronj]

Awesome chart! Who needs Y axis labels anyway, I say!

[solipsism]

I do find it interesting that the iPhone OS accounts for 70% of the Linux share.

Originally Posted by quinney

Is it too soon to see the effect of all the Windows netbooks that are supposedly being sold?

Unless there is a way to weed out HW type it will impossible, but a good portion of the Linux increase may be from netbooks.

[guinness]

Originally Posted by solipsism

I do find it interesting that the iPhone OS accounts for 70% of the Linux share.



Unless there is a way to weed out HW type it will impossible, but a good portion of the Linux increase may be from netbooks.

Re: netbooks, doubtful, but there was a new version of Ubuntu (9.04) released the other day, and it's pretty nice, and anytime a new version of Ubuntu comes out, there seems to be a spike in Linux interest.

I'm running the netbook version (UNR) on my AAO, and it works very well, with most everything picked up just fine, save issues with the card reader, but the Acer is a bit different, in that it has 2. With 8.10, I still had to plug it into ethernet, so that I could download the open-source driver through Synaptic.

The UNR customizations are nice too, as they allow programs to fit much better to the 1024x600 res screen, without windows floating into areas that you can't access.

The reason that I say that most netbooks probably don't add much to Linux, is that most netbooks that come pre-installed with Linux, come with terrible Linux distros, and hence, are probably returned for XP versions.

As for as the Touch, I'm not sure what to say about 1.5 users out of a 1000 is really being that significant. I can't say that I ever use mobile Safari much anymore, as one, I don't like it, and two, I've got my netbook.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by guinness

Re: netbooks, doubtful, but there was a new version of Ubuntu (9.04) released the other day, and it's pretty nice, and anytime a new version of Ubuntu comes out, there seems to be a spike in Linux interest.

I install each new version when it comes out to test it.

As for as the Touch, I'm not sure what to say about 1.5 users out of a 1000 is really being that significant. I can't say that I ever use mobile Safari much anymore, as one, I don't like it, and two, I've got my netbook.

I'm on my iPhone constantly if I'm not a computer. My netbooks were for testing and when my notebook was out of commission. The article said that is was usage and not units so I think that number on a cell phone is quite impressive, especially in such a short time with so many other phone OSes on the market for so long.

[randythot]

I'm glad to hear the news about iPod Touch usage, but I was wondering something...

Has anyone else noticed the strong uptick in # of articles/rumors coming across the media these days?
Is this an Apple prompted spin? Is it a cyclic upturn in news? Apple driven R & D push?
It does seem like there has been quite a few comment-worthy news/rumor bits ranging across everything.

[JeffDM]

Originally Posted by quinney

Is it too soon to see the effect of all the Windows netbooks that are supposedly being sold?

How would it identify itself? Do any of the netbooks with Windows identify themselves as having a netbook edition of Windows?

[SpamSandwich]

Originally Posted by cameronj

Awesome chart! Who needs Y axis labels anyway, I say!

[SpamSandwich]

Originally Posted by randythot

I'm glad to hear the news about iPod Touch usage, but I was wondering something...

Has anyone else noticed the strong uptick in # of articles/rumors coming across the media these days?
Is this an Apple prompted spin? Is it a cyclic upturn in news? Apple driven R & D push?
It does seem like there has been quite a few comment-worthy news/rumor bits ranging across everything.

Not sure of the "why" regarding the rumors exactly, but AAPL stock has been going great guns, despite the recession.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by SpamSandwich

Not sure of the "why" regarding the rumors exactly, but AAPL stock has been going great guns, despite the recession.

It's mostly been inline with the NASDAQ.

I found it funny that the first day of trading after MS announced a 32% drop in profit for the first time in 23 years, MS went up 10.52% and Apple was down a but that day.

[Dunks]

Don't worry guys - it was just me.

[dreyfus2]

Originally Posted by solipsism

It's mostly been inline with the NASDAQ.

Well, AAPL so far gained 49,08% in 2009, while the NASDAQ only managed 15,27%. I would say AAPL is doing slightly better.

[dreyfus2]

Originally Posted by quinney

Is it too soon to see the effect of all the Windows netbooks that are supposedly being sold?

As the overall PC shipments are down (even after including netbooks), where exactly would you see this "effect"? People who bought a 15" Acer Crapbook GTi DOHC in 2008, just bought an 10" eekPC in 2009... they both show up as Windows in this statistic.

[ascii]

I didn't realize Linux was so small. We (Mac) are the same size relative to them as Windows is to us.

[zunx]

US market share or global worldwide market share? It is not the same.

[rickypedia]

Originally Posted by aplnub

Excellent question!

saw this on twitter, ( on ipod touch, using TwitterFon ) I think a big surge is due to disabled users who are also connecting via home or free WiFi not just 2g/3g and like the portability when in the "reading room" or just moving from room to room.

Can you see bringing your whole laptop into..well use your imaginations

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by dreyfus2

Well, AAPL so far gained 49,08% in 2009, while the NASDAQ only managed 15,27%. I would say AAPL is doing slightly better.

I did use the qualifier "mostly." There were days that they really did better, or didn't do nearly as bad, but most days I've watched have seemed pretty close on a day-by-day look, but up 50% in 4 months is great! My AMZN has done well too, it's up 60% this year.

[Shookster]

Since new versions of Windows, OS X, iPhone and presumably the Pre are coming in 2009, it will be interesting to see where these stats are at the end of the year. Will MS claw back its market share? Will the Pre make an impact?

[Jerseymac]

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

On the desktop, Apple isn't seeing quite the same explosive growth as in mobile but still has some reason to be content

I have a co worker who told me he needed a new computer. I suggested a Mac and got the usual "No way! They're too expensive! I'm going to get a four hundered dollar Vista computer from Best Buy."

Sadly, the ads do work sometimes.

[deanbar]

Originally Posted by rickypedia

saw this on twitter, ( on ipod touch, using TwitterFon ) I think a big surge is due to disabled users who are also connecting via home or free WiFi not just 2g/3g and like the portability when in the "reading room" or just moving from room to room.

Can you see bringing your whole laptop into..well use your imaginations

Also, I expect, like me, many people often probably connect to the internet when the adverts come on during a tv program. It could be that some interesting point was discussed or mentioned, a descriptive/technological word perhaps, that I want to check up on etc, I can look it up on the web while the adverts are on, or have a quick session of Bejeweled or Sudoko, check my email, look up the latest news without having to switch channels - because you can!!

It comes as no surprise to me how popular the IPT has become in such a short time, as more and more people discover its potential.

[columbus]

Originally Posted by ascii

I didn't realize Linux was so small. We (Mac) are the same size relative to them as Windows is to us.

I think it is good to highlight this. Part of this is because it was OS X, not Linux which made UNIX user friendly. Even though OS X launched years after Linux was apparently meant to have achieved this goal.

Whilst Linux is in use in a lot of places (wireless routers, server rooms) very few people use it on the Desktop.

The Mac is the opposite. The server presence is minimal, presence in embedded devices is minimal, yet presence in devices people choose to buy for personal and professional and use day-to-day basis is fairly significant.

This is I think these usage statistics are far more interesting and relevant that market share figures.

[Tauron]

I can get work done faster on an ipod touch versus any PC desktop.

[Daniel001]

Originally Posted by zunx

US market share or global worldwide market share? It is not the same.

According to Net Applications, their figures show the global market share; but they seem to be heavily skewed towards English-speaking sites. They generally credit Apple with about twice the market share indicated by other sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OS_mark...#Summary_table

[JeffDM]

Originally Posted by Tauron

I can get work done faster on an ipod touch versus any PC desktop.

Work? If that's not a hyperbolic line, then there aren't any.

[cameronj]

Originally Posted by Tauron

I can get work done faster on an ipod touch versus any PC desktop.

Heh, what kind of work?

[ipodrulz]

I think it's cause it's below 1% and they didn't change how much detail they want to show!

[quinney]

Originally Posted by dreyfus2

As the overall PC shipments are down (even after including netbooks), where exactly would you see this "effect"? People who bought a 15" Acer Crapbook GTi DOHC in 2008, just bought an 10" eekPC in 2009... they both show up as Windows in this statistic.

I think you are correct. My question was directed more at the several posters who have
stated that Apple is losing massive market share to netbooks. If they were correct, one
would expect to see a spike in the Windows usage statistics, and a corresponding dip
in the Apple usage stats, nicht wahr?

[orange whip]

Originally Posted by zunx

US market share or global worldwide market share? It is not the same.

why is it that every news item, blog, web site, discussion, whatever... about market share, leaves you clueless. NO ONE EVER PROPERLY QUALIFIES WHAT THE HELL IT IS THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT

what is the point if statistics are not qualified?

Market share of WHAT????
- for what period
- for what location
-for which demographic

exactly, global and US market share are not the same thing.... what are we talking about here??????

anyone?

[JeffDM]

Originally Posted by orange whip

why is it that every news item, blog, web site, discussion, whatever... about market share, leaves you clueless. NO ONE EVER PROPERLY QUALIFIES WHAT THE HELL IT IS THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT

what is the point if statistics are not qualified?

Market share of WHAT????
- for what period
- for what location
-for which demographic

exactly, global and US market share are not the same thing.... what are we talking about here??????

anyone?

"Market" share looks to be a misnomer anyways. I think it's a lot more appropriate to call it a usage share, if I were to offer a suggestion. "Market" implies something's being sold, and that's a hard thing to pin down. Web stores are selling products or services, and most web sites are selling ad space, but I don't think either is affected by the type of device it's being sent to. I know my own site doesn't make any differentiation. Some major sites do make simplified versions of their sites for mobile devices, but usually as a device class, usually it's not singling out a specific device model.

[dreyfus2]

Originally Posted by JeffDM

"Market" share looks to be a misnomer anyways. I think it's a lot more appropriate to call it a usage share, if I were to offer a suggestion. "Market" implies something's being sold, and that's a hard thing to pin down. Web stores are selling products or services, and most web sites are selling ad space, but I don't think either is affected by the type of device it's being sent to.

Hm, I think what they really mean is the online advertising market in this context. And here the device does matter a bit. If 50% of my hits come from an iPhone, using Flash ads will not make me that rich.

[dreyfus2]

Originally Posted by quinney

I think you are correct. My question was directed more at the several posters who have stated that Apple is losing massive market share to netbooks. If they were correct, one would expect to see a spike in the Windows usage statistics, and a corresponding dip
in the Apple usage stats, nicht wahr?

OK, I see. There is a little twist here. Online usage does reflect the sum of all computers and smart phones still in use, some of them may be up to 8-10 years old, the majority maybe 2-3 years. The number does not only reflect devices sold in the last three months. You see a higher percentage of e.g. iPhones, as the smartphone category is rather new (it did not really take off before the iPhone), but for computers market share (sales-wise) has to change dramatically to make a noticeable impact on Website statistics. The statistic does not really tell a lot about market share at all (Apple is miles away from 9% globally, estimates are 3-4% methinks); a lot of Windows and Linux boxes are used in business environments without Internet access (or restricted to Intranet use), or work as dumb terminals or do mainly access sites not being watched in this statistic (as this metric focuses on advertisements, sites without any should be under-represented), while likely close to 100% of Macs are used for private surfing.

The global computer market shrunk 7% in Q1 CY2009 (year-over-year). If you eliminate netbook sales from the numbers, it shrunk around 15%. Apple sales (by units) only declined 3%. So, Apple's market share grew a tiny bit when compared to the 7% figure, quite a bit, if you eliminate netbooks from the statistics, and the profit share should be through the roof (as Apple does not even compete in the netbook segment). Truth is: So far Apple has not lost any market share to netbooks, individual buyers certainly.

[justflybob]

Originally Posted by Dunks

Don't worry guys - it was just me.

[justflybob]

Originally Posted by orange whip

why is it that every news item, blog, web site, discussion, whatever... about market share, leaves you clueless. NO ONE EVER PROPERLY QUALIFIES WHAT THE HELL IT IS THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT

what is the point if statistics are not qualified?

Market share of WHAT????
- for what period
- for what location
-for which demographic

exactly, global and US market share are not the same thing.... what are we talking about here??????

anyone?

My all time favorite saying: "85% of all statistics are made up"

[city]

Originally Posted by Stashman

The less people using IE (any version) the better. I'm a web develop and it's a pain in the ass to make anything work/look right in.

That would be fewer people.

[Quadra 610]

Originally Posted by Jerseymac

I have a co worker who told me he needed a new computer. I suggested a Mac and got the usual "No way! They're too expensive! I'm going to get a four hundered dollar Vista computer from Best Buy."

Sadly, the ads do work sometimes.

Not on the Premium end of the market, which Apple is targeting. Those who do have the money to spend have, and will continue to invariably choose a Mac.

The rest of the market can stay stuck on cheap windows boxes. No taste. Fine by me.

But in the end they'll pay. Just in a different, perhaps more furstrating way.

[DogGone]

How many netbooks use XP vs. Linux? Either way the Netbook surge could make a serious dent in M$'s market share and put them in even more of a mess.

Vista computers are a bag of hurt. My old man is stuck with his new machine. He tried to set up a web cam so that we can Skype. My mac is perfect. His PC worked once and since then the sound is off. He has no idea how to fix it. He spends hours trying to get it to work.

I'm going to have to get him a MacBook.

[TenoBell]

Someone in the market for a $400 Best Buy notebook isn't in the market for an Apple computer in the first place. So its not really a lost sale.

Originally Posted by Jerseymac

I have a co worker who told me he needed a new computer. I suggested a Mac and got the usual "No way! They're too expensive! I'm going to get a four hundered dollar Vista computer from Best Buy."

Sadly, the ads do work sometimes.