According to Tweeter @dovellonsky, Microsoft may be looking into porting a version of Internet Explorer to Android.
However, the source has not proven reliability before. Unlike @evleaks or other insider top-tweeters, the validity of the #rumour is not likely, but it does spring a very strong idea: that being a move to Google’s Android would make a lot of business sense for Microsoft.
Firstly, let’s take Internet Explorer’s dominance of the desktop. Altogether, NetMarketShare reports that versions of Internet Explorer on desktops globally have a 51.37% chokehold. Coming in second is Firefox, with Firefox 26 and Firefox 27 adding in 5.78% and 7.9% respectively. In third comes Google’s Chrome with a 9.86% market share on desktops. ‘Other’ browsers and older browser versions make up the remaining 25.09%, but it’s clear that Internet Explorer’s default dominance for Windows is a clear winner.
NetMarketShare’s desktop browser share February 2014
Internet Explorer 11 was only released in October 2013, so a command of 12.8% is healthy, and when it comes to browser market share on mobile devices, it’s obvious where Internet Explorer’s port to Android could make all the difference to Microsoft.
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As of February 2014, Android 4.0’s own search provides a huge 23.46% of mobile browser market share, with Safari 7 on iPhones coming in with 32.71%. Chrome makes up 6.92% and various other versions for Android complete the circle.
NetMarketShare’s mobile and tablet browser share February 2014
Global smartphone shipments surpassed one billion in 2013, showing an increase of 38.4% to 2012. IDC said that about 1,004,200,000 smartphones were shipped, adding up to 55.1% of ALL mobile phones shipped in 2013.
With an exploding mobile devices market, it’s clear to see how a move by Microsoft to penetrate Android could only end well for the company.
