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I only skimmed at the charts in the article, but I'd assume the underlying reason highlighted by OP is the only one that makes sense, i.e. that old Windows boxe

I only skimmed at the charts in the article, but I'd assume the underlying reason highlighted by OP is the only one that makes sense, i.e. that old Windows boxes get replaced by tablets (usually, but not necessarily, iPads), on top of smartphone sales; just less frequently for geeky users (who are more likely to be using FF or Chrome than IE). If so, "best" option for OSX seems somewhat moot: what really counts is being the "only" option on iOS. (Technically, you can install another Webkit-based powered browser on an iDevice, but I'd wager hardly anyone does so because http links in apps would probably keep opening Safari anyway.)

darkandbrooding 13y ago
I have Gmail and Chrome installed on an iPad. HTTP links in Gmail open in Chrome if that browser is installed. Just FYI.
- vetinari 13y ago
  Yes, but that's due to specific effort of the Gmail team. Links from other (non-Google) apps still open in Safari.
  - darkandbrooding 13y ago
    Apologies for communicating my thoughts poorly. I was confident that the integration was intentional. I had intended the trivia about gmail:chrome integration as a way to illustrate the parent's opinion that Apple controlling the user experience on the iPad is, ultimately, a moot point. If Apple cannot prevent the distribution third party browsers (note: see caveat in comment above), and they cannot prevent other apps from invoking those third party browsers, then Apple cannot prevent a company with sufficient drive and resources from creating a self-reinforcing ecosystem on top of iOS. All they can do is raise the barrier to entry, to increase the likelihood that smaller players will build on top of the iOS ecosystem, rather than do an end-run around it. Just in case there is any ambiguity, I am glad that Google is innovating (to the extent that they are permitted) on top of iOS. I tend to buy Apple gear because I think that Apple makes very good hardware, and I use OS X because it's a desktop-centric Unix that runs software from Adobe and Microsoft, and lets me watch videos from Netflix and Amazon. As someone who has used Apple services since iTools debuted in 2000, I think that Apple's services (iCloud, iTunes, etc) are strictly "ehh." I'm glad to see the competition. If Safari usage numbers tank as a result, well, that's a solvable problem.
- JohnTHaller 13y ago
  Google had to do that specifically, iirc, since Apple doesn't like other browsers. It's also worth pointing out that Chrome on your iPad is just Mobile Safari (the slower version for 3rd party apps) with a Chrome skin/UI on top of it. It's not the real Chrome/Blink engine used on Mac, Windows, Linux, Android, etc, which would be faster.
  - darkandbrooding 13y ago
    Very interesting. Thanks!

darkandbrooding 13y ago

I have Gmail and Chrome installed on an iPad. HTTP links in Gmail open in Chrome if that browser is installed. Just FYI.

vetinari 13y ago
Yes, but that's due to specific effort of the Gmail team. Links from other (non-Google) apps still open in Safari.
- darkandbrooding 13y ago
  Apologies for communicating my thoughts poorly. I was confident that the integration was intentional. I had intended the trivia about gmail:chrome integration as a way to illustrate the parent's opinion that Apple controlling the user experience on the iPad is, ultimately, a moot point. If Apple cannot prevent the distribution third party browsers (note: see caveat in comment above), and they cannot prevent other apps from invoking those third party browsers, then Apple cannot prevent a company with sufficient drive and resources from creating a self-reinforcing ecosystem on top of iOS. All they can do is raise the barrier to entry, to increase the likelihood that smaller players will build on top of the iOS ecosystem, rather than do an end-run around it. Just in case there is any ambiguity, I am glad that Google is innovating (to the extent that they are permitted) on top of iOS. I tend to buy Apple gear because I think that Apple makes very good hardware, and I use OS X because it's a desktop-centric Unix that runs software from Adobe and Microsoft, and lets me watch videos from Netflix and Amazon. As someone who has used Apple services since iTools debuted in 2000, I think that Apple's services (iCloud, iTunes, etc) are strictly "ehh." I'm glad to see the competition. If Safari usage numbers tank as a result, well, that's a solvable problem.
JohnTHaller 13y ago
Google had to do that specifically, iirc, since Apple doesn't like other browsers. It's also worth pointing out that Chrome on your iPad is just Mobile Safari (the slower version for 3rd party apps) with a Chrome skin/UI on top of it. It's not the real Chrome/Blink engine used on Mac, Windows, Linux, Android, etc, which would be faster.
- darkandbrooding 13y ago
  Very interesting. Thanks!