Apple’s iOS 7 is now operating on the vast majority of Apple devices connected to the App Store, according to new statistics. This has come six months after Apple released their latest major software update back in September. Apple’s operating system update iOS 7 has had a staggering 85% adoption rate, by direct comparison to Android, with Google’s latest operating system software update ‘Kit Kat’ (4.4) has had a very minor adoption rate of around 8%.
This shows that Apple’s users are significantly better at remaining up to date with the latest software updates than any other operating system users. This is seen as good news for mobile app developers as apps which have been designed taking into account iOS 7’s new features, are proving popular with Apple’s users. iOS 7 level of adoption has already outstripped the adoption rates of its previous operating system software update iOS 6, this however is despite the early criticisms of iOS 7.
One of Apple’s advantages is that it runs a very different business model from Google’s. Google’s market share of Android is significantly higher than iOS due to the adoption of Android by third-party device manufacturers. This means that you can only access Apple’s operating system when you purchase an Apple product, but you are able to purchase an Android device from a range of manufacturers. This fragmentation also gives Apple a competitive advantage as Google spending considerably more money and resources on making sure that its operating system is compatible across all of the manufacturer’s products.
Google’s business model has undoubtedly helped to make Android the standard in the smartphone and tablet market. However this has led to slow adoption rates for its operation system software updates, which is proving difficult for some app developers who are looking to build the best and latest apps which can utilise the latest software upgrades.
This competition between Apple and Google is showing that the mobile market is remaining competitive and is showing no signs of slowing down!