Former Apple iPhone users that had switched to Android smartphones are engaging in more interactive behaviour online, according to GlobalWebIndex.
GlobalWebIndex's Stream Device Q1 2013 report found that 64 per cent of Android users - who were previously using iPhones - played an online game during the first quarter, compared to 57 per cent of iOS users.
More than half (52 per cent) of Android users used a micro-blogging service, compared to 46 per cent of iOS users while 44 per cent of Android users uploaded a video online compared to 34 per cent of iOS users.
The majority (80 per cent) of iPhone users used their device to check the weather over the quarter, only 2 per cent more than Android users. Two thirds of users of phones with both operating systems used their devices to check information on music, leisure or entertainment.
The report also found that 46 per cent of these new Android users bought a product or service through a group buying website, with 62 per cent buying a product online. This compares to 36 per cent of iOS users who made a purchase with a group buying site and 59 per cent who purchased a product online.
“As Android dominance in the mobile market soars, it will be curious to see how former iPhone users interact on their new Androids," Marcello Mari, sales development, social and content marketing at GlobalWebIndex wrote in a blog post.
"If current trends continue, then this highly engaged bunch might re-write OS purchasing power—a trend that will have strong implications for the revenue historically associated with Apple.”
The research was released as Apple’s Tim Cook announced the rollout of the iOS 7 later this year at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). The new operating system is a complete redesign with “with an entirely new user interface” that is to “take advantage of the entire screen”.
Some of the new iOS 7 features include a control centre for users to access controls quickly all in one place by swiping the bottom of the phone screen, and improved multitasking for developers to enable any app to multi-task in the background with a new API.
The new OS also includes AirDrop content sharing that transfers peer-to-peer so users can use it anywhere, without any network or set up and is encrypted; real-time photo effects and a square camera option.