Port Washington (ip-192.com): Phones based on Google's Android operating system are outselling Apple's iPhone in the U.S. for the first time, research group NPD says. In the first quarter of 2010, Android based phones accounted for a 28 percent market share while Apple's iPhone claimed 21 percent. BlackBerry phones made by Research in Motion (RIM) still lead the market with 36 percent.
While Apple's iPhone's are only available through AT&T, Google Android based phones are backed by all major carriers. The Android operating system powers smartphones made by manufacturers such as Motorola, Samsung, and HTC. Consumers and businesses have a choice to find the right device for their needs. Apple, on the other hands, has currently only two versions of the iPhone – the 3GS and the 3G. Finally, most Android based phones are cheaper than Apple's offerings.
Google also managed to improve the offerings available through its Marketplace store. However, some applications are only available on newer versions of the Android operating system, and some phones are not upgradable. This makes it much harder for developers to jump on the Google bandwagon.
Apple, on the other hand, can not only count on the iPhone, but on the iPod Touch and the new iPad as well since all run on the same operating system.
Since NDP focuses on the consumer market, corporate sales through enterprise contracts are not included in the numbers published. Android based phones are still behind RIM, Apple and Windows Mobile based phones in the most recent statistics from ComScore, which are based on contracts signed.
Recent Comments