Android is now the world’s most popular operating system, having beaten Microsoft Windows in worldwide marketshare for the very first time.

Or at least that’s the story woven by the latest data from traffic trackers StatCounter.

In March 2017 Android usage hit 37.93% last month across desktop, laptop, tablet and smartphone, edging out Microsoft Windows (combined versions, including mobile) on 37.91%. GNU/Linux sits on 0.75%.

Apropos of nothing or significant moment for Google’s Android?

That depends entirely on your own opinion and viewpoints. StatCounter (naturally) consider this minor lead to be a pivotal one, with Aodhan Cullen, CEO, StatCounter, saying:

“This is a milestone in technology history and the end of an era. It marks the end of Microsoft’s leadership worldwide of the OS market which it has held since the 1980s. It also represents a major breakthrough for Android which held just 2.4% of global internet usage share only five years ago.”

Microsoft doesn’t need to sweat too much. Windows still controls the lion-share of traditional desktop PCs and laptop market, where its versions combined to own a mighty 84.34% share in March, 2017. GNU/Linux in this area commands 1.54%, while ChromeOS/Linux takes 0.84%.

StatCounter consider this moot, saying that “Windows won the desktop war but the battlefield moved on.”

“It will be difficult for Microsoft to make inroads in mobile but the next paradigm shift might give it the opportunity to regain dominance. That could be in Augmented Reality, AI, Voice or Continuum (a product that aims to replace a desktop and smartphone with a single Microsoft powered phone).”

Fair points, I guess.

While news of Android’s (apparent) success is not strictly relevant to Ubuntu it still provides context within which GNU/Linux performance can be interpreted.

Out of interest: which OS do you spent the most time browsing the web in, and which do you spend more time being productive/creative in?