By NPD's count, there's more good news for Google from the world's most mature smartphone market. Thanks to continued high-profile handset launches, Google's Android smartphone operating system (OS) significantly grew its lead in the US consumer smartphon
By NPD's count, there's more good news for Google from the world's most mature smartphone market. Thanks to continued high-profile handset launches, Google's Android smartphone operating system (OS) significantly grew its lead in the US consumer smartphone market in the third quarter (Q3).
Smartphones sales by operating system (OS) software, US Q3
Google Android: 44% (Q2: 33%)
iPhone OS: 23% (Q2: 22%)
RIM BlackBerry OS: 22% (28%)
According to respected retail market tracker, Android's OS was installed in 44% of all smartphones purchased in Q3, an increase of 11% since Q2; Apple iOS held relatively steady versus last quarter, rising one percentage point to 23%; RIM BlackBerry OS fell to third position, declining from 28% to 22%.
"Much of Android's quarterly share growth came at the expense of [BlackBerry maker] RIM, rather than Apple," said Ross Rubin, executive director of industry analysis for NPD.
According to NPD's Mobile Phone Track, when OS unit share for the third quarter of 2010 is compared to the third quarter of 2009, the declines among Android competitors were as follows: RIM OS share declined by 53%; Apple iOS share declined 21%. "
The NPD study is the latest in a series of surveys that have shown Android pulling ahead in new phone sales - although RIM and Apple still have a larger installed base.
One factor in Android's rise - beyond its support from multiple phone companies - is the rise of low-cost models.
IDC is shortly to release its Q2 smartphone sales stats for Australia and New Zealand, but they will miss Telecom's (curiously Google logo-free) Android print and TV campaign, and 2degrees' new Android for the masses, the Huawei Ideos.
