(Credit: Net Applications)Google's browsers edged closer to second place in both desktop and mobile markets, a gradual trend that helps Google's profitability and its long-term plans for the Web.
On personal computers, Chrome rose from 15.5 percent of global usage in August to 16.2 percent in September, according to Net Applications, whose Web-based analytics tools monitor usage. Chrome trails Internet Explorer, which dropped from 55.3 percent to 54.4 percent, and Firefox, which dipped from 22.6 percent to 22.5 percent.
On smartphones and tablets, Google's unbranded Android browser rose from 15.7 percent to 16.3 percent. There, the leaders are Apple's Safari, which rose from 53.0 percent to 54.7 percent, and Opera Mini, which dropped from 20.8 percent to 18.5 percent.
In September, mobile devices accounted for 6 percent of browsing traffic, compared to 93.7 percent for personal computers, Net Applications said.
Read more: http://news.cnet.com/8301-30685_3-20114278-264/chrome-could-unseat-firefox-as-no-2-browser/#ixzz1ZiWy3g1c
