Android to be on more devices than Windows in 2016

Android will become the world’s most prolific operating system in 2016. Google’s platform will be on 2.3 billion computing devices, while Microsoft’s Windows will power a total of 2.28 billion, according to the latest estimates from research firm Gartner.

Right now, Android definitely has a huge momentum compared to Windows, but Microsoft still has a huge advantage in terms of overall number of devices using its platform. By the end of this year, there will be nearly 1.5 billion Windows-based devices and 608 million Android-based ones.

However Microsoft has been around for decades, while Android only launched in 2008. Since then it has skyrocketed to become the world’s biggest mobile platform with no close runner up in sight. In tablets, it ranks second after the iPad and Apple’s iOS.

The whole model of distribution of Android is different than Windows and iOS. While the two platforms cost money to users, Android instead is available for free with revenue coming from the further establishment of Google search along with other services.

And as a whole, traditional computer sales have slumped 8% in the last quarter, the sharpest drop since 2001.

source: Reuters