Google's 'Lite' Operating Systems (OS), including Android and Chrome OS, will dominate the market in the coming years, according to an industry analyst firm.
Ovum suggested Apple's market share was currently riding high at 90 per cent thanks to the dominance of the iPad and the steady popularity of the iPhone. However, in its report, the analyst predicted it would drop to around 35 per cent by 2015, while Google's market share would increase to 36 per cent.
Other platforms would collectively comprise around 29 per cent of the market share.
Tony Cripps, a principal analyst at Ovum, said: "This is because the dominant software platforms, Apple and Google, will attract the most attention from the cream of the developers."
"As a result they will have the best, most talked about applications and content and, when all is said and done, this is what people will consider when making a purchasing decision."
According to the research 'Lite' Operating Systems (OS) are driving a global interest in hand-held, internet-enabled gadgets.
Ovum's report predicted a global increase in shipping of portable devices from 14.2 million at the end of 2010 to around 150 million per year by 2015 - a growth rate of 60 per cent.
The survey tracked devices using 'Lite' OS such as Apple iOS, Google Android and RIM's BlackBerry Tablet OS.
Although North America and Western Europe would take a considerable slice of global shipments by 2015, Ovum believed Asia would see the greatest proportion, accounting for 35 per cent.
Ovum attributed this difference to the considerable size of the potential market in Asia and the comparatively low penetration of PCs compared to the Western market.
