Analyst Gene Munster at Piper Jaffray believes that 2% of Google’s total revenue in 2012 will be generated by iOS devices, which is in fact the largest chunk of search giant’s mobile revenue (via Apple Insider). The analyst stated in a note to investors that Google will generate approximately $4.5 billion in mobile revenue over the year and Apple’s iOS platform is set to be one of the biggest contributors. Muster also speculates that even though Apple is likely to replace Google maps with its own Maps app in iOS 6, a standalone Google Maps app will still be available through the iTunes App Store.
According to the source:
Munster calculates that if iOS accounts for 40 percent of Google’s mobile profits, which equates to $1.6 billion, the net after TAC would be half that or two percent of the company’s total revenue. The estimate is conservative compared to a March report that found 80 percent of Google’s mobile revenue came from iOS while Android only accounted for 20 percent.
The analyst also notes that Apple’s rumored switch away from the iOS Google Maps app to a proprietary mapping solution is unlikely to affect mobile revenues for either company. The change would further minimize Google’s presence in iOS as its Maps app came pre-installed on all iPhones since the handset was first released in 2007.
It is interesting to note that Google will be generating maximum profits from its biggest competitor in the world.
