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Windows 8 apps pass 100K, Windows 8 passes Vista

Faster to 100K than iPad, Android

Microsoft has received two pieces of good news concerning its not-exactly-barn-burning Windows 8: there are now over 100,000 apps in the Windows 8 app store, and the installed base of Windows 8 has passed that of the late and unlamented Windows Vista.

What's more, that 100,000-app milestore was reached in just eight months – that's faster than did Apple's iPad (about a year and a half) and Google Play (about two years). You could, of course, argue that Apple and Google created the consumer hunger for apps, and Microsoft merely fed it – and you'd be right.

But, hey, let's allow Ballmer & Co. a bit of undiluted happiness. After all, it's been a trying last couple of years for them.

In addition to the Windows 8 app store news, Net Applications' Net Market Share stats machine says that as of last month, Windows 8 has squeaked past Windows Vista in installed-base market share, with the new Windows holding a total share of 5.1 per cent, and that Hindenberg of OSes, Vista, falling slightly but measurably behind at 4.62 per cent.

Windows 7 continues to rule the global roost, Net Applications says, with a hefty 44.37 per cent of the pie. Windows XP – still belovéd by many a sysadmin – is not far behind at 37.17 per cent.

Despite the popularity of Apple's laptop line – its MacBook Air, the market-watchers at NPD say, holds 56 per cent of the "thin and light" notebook market – the market share of OS X remains either wimpy or exclusive, depending upon your point of view. Taken together, OS X versions 10.6 (Snow Leopard), 10.7 (Lion), and 10.8 (Mountain Lion) total just 6.63 per cent, Net Applications says.

Global operating system market share by version as of June 2013

We're willing to bet that Reg readers occupy a disproportionate share of 'Other' (source: Net Applications)

Still, that's better than Windows 8's numbers. Perhaps the recently released Windows 8.1 update will boost Microsoft's must-succeed operating system's 5.1 share, but we're not holding our breath here at Vulture Annex. With the still-lackluster uptake of Windows 8 tablets and the overall sluggardliness of the PC market, Windows 8 has a strong headwind with which to contend.

Intel seems to believe that "2-in-1" tablet-keyboard mashups will resurrect Windows 8's fortunes – but cf. breath reference in the preceding paragraph for the Reg's considered opinion. ®

Bootnote

Although some observers have complained about the quality of apps in the Windows 8 app store, the Reg's Fart App Index™ indicates that the store also falls well below industry standards in another important area.

To wit: a search for "fart" in the iPhone section of the iTunes app store returns a list of 886 apps – including such Oscar Wilde–worthy wit as Farting Frenzy XL, Farthoven, and Ow My Balls! – which is a minor but statistically significant increase in the FAI™ tally, which stood at 857 in January 2012.

The same search in the Windows 8 app store, however, turns up a paltry 56 such apps. Obviously, the attendees at last week's Microsoft Build conference were not sufficiently inspired by the tasty-but-potent fare at San Francisco's La Cumbre, El Farolito, Papalote, and their ilk.

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