Poll results: Android to drive mobile gaming growth

Google’s mobile operating software Android will be responsible for the most growth in the mobile gambling sector, respondents to this week’s eGaming Review poll have said.

Given the choice between Android, Windows and iOS, 43.5% of respondents felt the former was best placed to lead growth in the mobile market.

The choice is perhaps unsurprising given that Google’s software is rolled out across a wide range of handsets and, as a result, has amassed an impressive global market share of more than 79% according to International Data Corporation (IDC).

Meanwhile eGR readers claim Windows 8 will provide a strong challenge to Apple and Google’s current market dominance with 32.3% of this week’s vote.

Microsoft’s recent acquisition of Nokia’s mobile division put an end to rumours that the company developer was looking to switch to the Android operating system, cementing its market position at the same time.

With IDC forecasting the Microsoft platform to have a market share upwards of 10% by 2017 and the technology provider entertaining strong brand familiarity across Europe and North America, mobile game developers could increasingly build games with the emerging software in mind.

Apple’s tried and tested iOS software took 24.2% of the vote, despite this week’s overhaul to version 7. Wholesale changes to the platform’s design principles and reported ease in displaying animations may endear the platform to virtual casino games designers, but the hardware’s lack of penetration in emerging markets could count against it.