Android Edges Out Apple To Become No. 2 Smartphone OS
The Android operating system is continuing to gain popularity among users. According to the NPD Group, Android moved past Apple and took the number-two position among smartphone operating systems in the first quarter of 2010.
Based on last quarter unit sales numbers from NPD’s wireless market research, the Android operating system moved into second place with 28 percent. Holding the number one spot is RIM’s OS with 36 percent. Apple’s OS held 21 percent of the market.
“As in the past, carrier distribution and promotion have played a crucial role in determining smartphone market share,” said Ross Rubin, executive director of industry analysis for NPD. “In order to compete with the iPhone, Verizon Wireless has expanded its buy-one-get-one offer beyond RIM devices to now include all of their smartphones.”
As part of this promotion from Verizon Wireless, sales of the Droid, Droid Eris, and Blackberry Curve have been very strong. These strong sales have helped to keep Verizon Wireless’s smartphone sales on par with AT&T in Q1.
NPD’s Mobile Phone Track shows AT&T sold nearly a third (32 percent) of all smartphones in the first quarter. Smartphone sales at Verizon Wireless were slightly behind AT&T with 30 percent of the smartphone market. T-Mobile and Sprint followed with respective market shares of 17 percent and 15 percent.
