Mobile devices have been making an impact on the business world for the better part of a decade. From adding email access to a handheld device to the productivity applications that can turn smartphones and tablets into critical company tools, the importance of mobile devices are on the rise. However, with the number of devices on the market, which one should business look to incorporate?
A recent Time Magazine article by Harry McCracken gathered a number of different studies and surveys to try and answer that question.
"It's silly to obsess over any one data point," McCracken wrote. "If what you're after is a clear idea of how the world's two dominant mobile operating systems are doing – rather than an excuse to make bold proclamations and/or cheer for your favorite – you want to consider lots of data points."
According to the numbers, Android smartphone devices have the lead with overall market share with just over 51 percent. It is the opposite when it comes to tablets, as the iPad and other iOS devices have just under 54 percent market share.
When it comes to applications, both of the leading platforms are neck and neck when it comes to the overall number of programs that are available. However, a ReadWrite article from earlier this year found that, on average, iOS apps have a higher quality rating than Android.
For the business world, a study by Citrix offers the most important piece of information. It found that customers that have deployed enterprise mobility management and cloud options are doing so on the iOS platform nearly twice as often as Android.
Mobile devices are playing a bigger role in the business world than ever before. With the help of an IT consulting firm that specialized in mobile device deployment, any company can start looking into the future.
