If you had any doubt about the Android OS, and its role in the current and future smartphone industry, the latest Nielsen’s data study shows how popular the OS has become. Android OS is gaining fast against competitors Apple and RIM. The data, charted above, shows Android’s winning streak, with the OS closing in on Blackberry OS in November 2010. Apple is still leading, sitting at 28.6% (up from 27.9% in June), BlackBerry at 26.1% (down from 33.9%), and our Android up to 25.8% (from 15%).
While still trailing in the overall market, Android clearly became the new purchase favorite in the second half of last year, grabbing 40.8% in Novomber 2010, beating out both rivals, with Apple iOS at 26.9%. and RIM falling behind at 19.2%. Heading into 2011 the race will only heat up, but for Blackberry, it may be the end of the line, as continued focus on main rivals (Apple and Android) could put RIM in a corner. There are quite a few factors coming into play this year, it’s hard to say who could come out on top. We have Apple possibly unleashing the iPhone on Verizon, the expansion of 4G markets, LTE, dual core devices, a new OS (Honeycomb), and the rise of Tablets. It should be an interesting year with many additions to shake up the system.
Source: Nielsen