Err. Aren't you totally misinterpreting these numbers? If the population isn't fixed (it isn't) and there are new entrants (and there are) and these new entrants are in new sectors (like mobile for example) then the percentage for an OS can easily drop while it use continues to grow. It is hardly surprising that the Mac would see more of it's users start using these new platforms as the new platform more responsible is iOS, which is going to appeal to Mac users first.
Think about it...
When I look through NetMarketShare’s monthly reports of web usages, rather than concentrate on the numbers, I tend to look at the overall trends. The numbers are susceptible to all kinds of influences and anomalies, and I don’t have the time, energy or aptitude to apply statistical rigor to any analysis. Also, quite often you’re dealing with fractions of percentages. Trends are more reliable, and one trend that I’ve noticed is the declining Mac OS market share.
Apple’s Mac OS enjoyed an all-time high usage share of 5.33% back in March of this year, but since this it’s seen moth on month erosion of that down to 5.00% for August.
During the same period Windows has also suffered some losses, but a much smaller drop and a much smaller one compared to the massive 91% usage share it commands.
Now, over the same period Apple’s iOS platform has seen an increase, so it could be said that Apple is still gaining ground. But what’s worrying is that while Apple is keeping its eye on on the iOS spinning plate, the Mac OS plate has stopped spinning and it headed dirtwards.
Now, Apple did have an excellent Q3′10 results, and Mac sales were at an all-time high, up 33% on Q3′09, but it’s clear that Apple has shifted focus partly away from Mac OS and instead onto iOS. And why not. iOS sales mean greater iTunes sales and Apple sees a 30% cut for every app sold … iOS generates revenue for Apple on the back end.
Could iOS ever become the #2 OS? Right now, it seems like some day it could.
