Android to pass iOS before iOS catches up to BlackBerry

[Emil]

60.7 million people in the US owned smartphones during the last quarter, up 14 percent from the preceding three month period. The number of smartphone owners who use Google's Android OS is about to pass the number of users on Apple's iOS, but the number of Americans on RIM's BlackBerry OS is still ahead of both. Based on the data provided by tracking firm comScore, Android saw a huge sales jump while iOS gained a little and BlackBerry dropped quite a bit.

In the three months ending in October, RIM dropped from 39.3 percent to 35.8 percent. Apple's share rose less than a single percentage point, going from 23.8 percent to 24.6 percent. Meanwhile, the share of Google users rose sharply from 17.0 percent to 23.5 percent.

If iOS and Android were neck and neck a month ago, it looks like the latter will pass the former in the current quarter, especially given that it includes the 2010 holiday season. BlackBerry should remain in first this year, but that lead won't last for long.

Microsoft's share dropped from 11.8 percent to 9.7 percent of smartphone subscribers. Palm's numbers fell from 4.9 percent to 3.9 percent. Despite losing share to Android, most smartphone platforms are still gaining users because the smartphone market overall continues to grow.

Permalink to story.

https://www.techspot.com/news/41420-android-to-pass-ios-before-ios-catches-up-to-blackberry.html

 

[princeton]

Well us in kitchener are ****ed. RIM is going downhill and they know it. They've relied soly on their fanbase for purchases and now that workers are being given android phones they need to pick up the pace. AKA no 624mhz cpus in $700 phones.

 

[vangrat]

We have just picked up our first Android based devices at my company, if we can get a software package that will wipe the phone remotely with one click, then we may be moving to a much larger android setup. The phones are faster, easier to use, and definitely open...why wouldn't we?! As for the iPhone...no surprise really. All of the people who had/have iPhones are the ones that will remain having iPhones...they have pretty much saturated their target audience. The Android on the other hand is ubiquitous, in that it fits on multiple styles of handsets near seamlessly.

 

[Guest]

"iPhone overtakes Windows Mobile's US share in October

Read more: http://www.electronista.com/articles/09/12/16/active.iphone.users.outnumber.win.mobile/#ixzz17IY84fm8"

Android faster my foot - it utterly depends on what it happens to be running on for starters. Google, while a great company, does not have near the elgegant creative capacity of Apple nor any control of the hardware. Who cares if they sell more generic Android based phones, Apple will still be a superior experience just like OSX is a vastly more seamless, enjoyable, and elegant experience compared to Linux.

It's a Quality vs Quantity thing and apparently people like vangrat prefer quantity. I guess that type feels less insecure being like everybody else.

 

[samxt]

Well I'd just like to say this as someone whos used iOS, WM, and Android. I have never used a RIM device, so can't comment on that. Out of all of the mobile OSs/phones I've used. I love my latest Galaxy S phone with Android the Best. I've always thought or worried that I'd miss this feature or that feature or an app or cool animation associated with a given task or window popup etc, or the ability to easily backup and restore my data, etc. etc. I just want to say as a user of many phones over the years that I am most impressed with my Android based phone and all the things I can do with it. It's hands down the best phone out right now in my opinion. I foresee Android phones taking the lead easily as they can be had through most carriers. The only iPhone app I really miss is the Monopoly Game app. I'd venture to guess that a port for Android is probably on it's way.

 

[Vrmithrax]

Guest said:
"iPhone overtakes Windows Mobile's US share in October

Read more: http://www.electronista.com/article...ne.users.outnumber.win.mobile/#ixzz17IY84fm8\"

Android faster my foot - it utterly depends on what it happens to be running on for starters. Google, while a great company, does not have near the elgegant creative capacity of Apple nor any control of the hardware. Who cares if they sell more generic Android based phones, Apple will still be a superior experience just like OSX is a vastly more seamless, enjoyable, and elegant experience compared to Linux.

It's a Quality vs Quantity thing and apparently people like vangrat prefer quantity. I guess that type feels less insecure being like everybody else.

Spoken like a true Apple fan... But, you'll have to accept the fact that probably, when all the dust settles and the ratios stabilize, iOS phones will have a loyal little chunk of the user base that won't deviate much, while the rest of the pie is up for grabs. I tend to think that Apple and RIM will end up in the smaller margins, with Android and Windows Mobile (if it proves itself truly viable and flexible in the long term) duking it out constantly for the lion's share of the market. And that is due to the very reason that you allude to: hardware. Android and WM are like Windows, they can run on a wide variety of hardware platforms, and are actually ALLOWED to. RIM and Apple lock their software down into their phones, vastly reducing flexibility and selection. Apple's OSX may be a "superior" platform in your eyes, but many will never know due to the restrictive limitations and pricing that keeps people who want the most bang for the buck and the most flexible options in hardware from ever experiencing it. iOS is running itself down the same path, and will slowly settle itself into a little corner of the market filled with rabid fans, and just soak up their money.