The Mobile Browser

The internet has gone portable in the last year or so with a massive increase in consumers browsing online with their phones. Obviously, the iPhone has had an enormous impact on the use of phones as an internet device, but there are some other players in the market who have had a significant influence as well. 

This time last year, only 0.8% of browsing came from a mobile OS and as recently as December 2009 the mobile browser only held a 1.28% share, but in the last few months there’s been a fairly large increase in mobile user base. It may not sound like much, but since January, there has been a 0.9% rise to 2.18% of internet browsing being done on mobile phones. This signifies a significant change in the landscape that is the internet. 

If the rate of mobile browsing continues to rise, it could very well change the way the web works. More and more websites are producing mobile-friendly versions, often specifically optimised for the iPhone. iPhone apps have also become a very popular way of consuming media, playing games and finding the best local restaurant, regardless of where people are. 

Source for statistics: http://gs.statcounter.com/#mobile_vs_desktop-ww-monthly-200903-201004