Chicago (IL) - The latest Net Applications survey and data extracted from Flickr logs indicate that Safari’s Windows version tripled the browser's market share, Microsoft is eating into Mac’s market share and the iPhone surpasses Nokia’s N95 in photo uploads to Flickr. The published numbers have limited scope but they allow us to draw some interesting conclusions.  

A look at the recent market figures released by Net Applications show interesting trends for Apple’s Safari, iPhone and the Mac. Apple's Safari 3.1 for Windows push may have fooled users into installing the browser believing it was a software update part of iTunes. Despite the widely reported criticism of Windows Vista, it appears that Microsoft ate into Mac’s operating system share, which fell 0.47 points between March and April. The data also showed a slight 0.01 point drop for iPhone. Net Applications didn't provide any reasons for this drop, but we should note that this data was generated from a limited set of hand-picked sites that are tracked by the company.

On the other hand, the data from Flickr log files reveal that iPhone is the most used handset to upload photos to the popular photo sharing service. What is rather stunning is the fact that the iPhone managed to overtake the Nokia N95, a cutting-edge device whose 5 megapixel photo hardware leaves the iPhone’s 2 megapixel camera in the dust.


Safari for Windows push tripled the browser's market share

The Net Applications survey shows Safari for Windows gained significantly after Apple had encouraged Windows users to install the browser by pre-selecting Safari 3.1 as a "recommended software upgrade" that appeared in the Apple Software Update app on March 18. Safari for Windows in its beta phase (v3.0) grabbed just 0.07% of the global browser market share. When Apple pushed Safari 3.1 to Windows users, the usage tripled over a period of six weeks to 0.21%. Not substantial by a long shot, but it certainly was a little intentional confusion that worked out well for Apple.

But obviously, the Safari 3.1 for Windows push created controversy. The Mozilla CEO stepped up and said that such a move "borders on malware". Users who installed iTunes were offered to update their software through “Apple Software Update”, which is part of the iTunes install. The application offered Safari 3.1 as "a software upgrade" even to users who had never installed Safari on their PCs before. Even the checkbox next to Safari 3.1 was automatically marked, which means that all a user needed to do is click OK to install the new software. Apple later updated the Apple Software Update app and new applications are now shown as a separate option. However, checkbox next to each new software item in the list is still checked by default.

"Normally, Apple's Software Update service is not used for delivery of new products,” said Net Applications. “Clearly, this is a calculated risk by Apple that has annoyed and/or alienated some users. However, the question is, did it work?  Did Apple gain browser market share on Windows based on this move?  The answer is yes."


iPhone/Mac OS market share dip

Unlike Safari, Apple's iPhone and the Mac dipped in operating system share trends. According to the Net Applications survey, Mac OS’ share among sites that the company tracks regularly fell in the four weeks between March and April to 7.01%, down from 7.48%. Unfortunately for Apple, it seems that Microsoft took the market share away from Apple: Microsoft increased its share in the same period from 91.57% to 91.99%.

iPhone’s share of the market declined slightly in the four weeks period, dropping from 0.15% to 0.14%. Net Applications did not provide an explanation for the drop but interestingly enough, Safari for iPhone remains the single largest browser client in the Net Applications survey. Moreover, it has been singled out as the only client that can register a visible influence.


iPhone the most popular camera phone at Flickr

Although Apple's iPhone has only a 2megapixel camera, a far cry from the usual 3 or 5 megapixels in competing handsets, it appears that the iPhone is the most popular mobile device for uploading pictures to Flickr. In a recent blog entry, Computerworld reported that more members use the iPhone to upload photos than any other devices. Data that supports this claim is derived from Flickr’s own usage statistics that has the iPhone overtaking Sony Ericsson and Nokia handsets. The iPhone is the clear front runner at this time.

For example, the 2-megapixel iPhone is used more often to upload photos to Flickr than the Nokia N95. Such contradiction shows that the iPhone clearly dominates the mobile Internet usage, at least in this very specific case. The fact that iPhone managed to take away the top position at the photo storage site from the previously leading 5 megapixel Nokia N95 handset, which integrates a flash and autofocus feature, shows the iPhone's primary strength - mobile Internet.

Both the iPhone and Nokia N95 are the clear leader in this discipline. The distant third, fourth and fifth slots are occupied by the Nokia N73 and Sony Ericsson K800i and W810i, respectively.

One month isn't a trend

May 05, 2008 13:43     

Microsoft can't be too happy about "eating into Mac's market share", since it is a jump only in Windows XP and IE6. Seems like NetApplications started serving some more big businesses is all.
Jack report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Nice...

May 05, 2008 15:28     

Apple is pulling an M$ by installing Safari behind your back (kind of). Yes they let you say no but most ppl won't figure that out. Personally give me Firefox and forget IE and Safari.
Action Jackson report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +3

What's up with the stress on the iphone's camera?

May 05, 2008 15:56     

MOST phones take bad pictures so does it really matter is it has 2 or 4 megapixels? Plus, you buy a phone to make calls and check email and that stuff. shouldn't that be the first thing mentioned?
Alec report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

safari

May 05, 2008 16:48     

safari was sneaked into computers when they upgrade/install itune which is the monopoly music shop for ipod/iphone (where are the antitrust regulators?) many installed Safari without knowing..just like quicktime player. yes. it's installed. but how many people actually using it? I will rather use firefox over safari anytime. As for ipohone loading photo to flickr, how many nokia phone are out there and how many are iphone? don't know if it['s just that there are more iphones by number.

andy report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

iPhone / N95

May 06, 2008 03:04     

Interesting, but I suspect this is more a reflection of the people who buy them than the phones themselves. Plus, I agree with Alec: I've yet to see a really good quality phone camera. I have a friend who has an N95, and after a disappointing series of photographs he went out and bought a proper digital camera. The only reason the camera ever gets used on my phone is because I always have it.
John Williams report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

RE:Safari

May 06, 2008 03:50     

"itune which is the monopoly music shop for ipod/iphone (where are the antitrust regulators?)" You have GOT to be kidding me. This asinine comments reveals you know absolutely zero about anything business related. First of all, iTunes is hardly a monopoly, and secondly, there is nothing inherently wrong with one company having say 99.9% marketshare --- it's called a good product. A company USING a monopoly to achieve an unfair advantage in a different market is what is ILLEGAL. monopoly != monopolistic business practices

loosely_coupled report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Apple is BACKDOORING Safari as a software update

May 06, 2008 13:54     

Apple, if you see Kay, why? oh you! no one is using Safari if it is installed on a windows they just accidentally hit the "enter" key I personally use firefox and opera, for their different capabilites and don't appreciate Apple's VIRAL install tactics {if I wanted Safari I would have downloaded it myself}; I'm surprised their accounting department doesn't try to charge you for the download!
coldmast report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0