Android now #1 Phone OS

[kennyc]

(Reuters) - Google Inc's Android dethroned Nokia's Symbian as the global leader in smartphone software during the last quarter of 2010, ending a reign that began with the birth of the industry a decade ago.

The reshuffle underscores how quickly Google, which offers its software to phone makers for free, has raced to the top of the smartphone market ahead of Apple Inc's (AAPL.O) rapid ascension. Google and Apple have revolutionized the smartphone market, sending Nokia scrambling.

In the fourth quarter, phonemakers sold 32.9 million Android-equipped phones globally, roughly seven times more than the year-earlier quarter, compared with Symbian's sales of 31 million, according to Research firm Canalys.....


http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/...54532220110131

[Graham]

Not mentioned in that version of the story, but on other sites, is that Nokia remains the global leader in sales of smartphone handsets (hardware), so all is not lost for them. It depends whether they can update their software fast enough and effectively enough.

Graham

[RockdaMan]

Don’t cry too hard about Android’s ascension as king of smartphones and Apple losing a few share points. The Cupertino, Calif. company is crying — but it’s all the way to the bank. Although Apple has just 4.2 percent of the entire cell phone market – not just smartphones – the company pulls in 51 percent of the profit.

Google’s Android pushed Nokia’s Symbian out of smartphone No. 1 position, selling 32.9 million smartphones, compared to 31 million for Symbian. Although Apple’s share of the smartphone market slipped to 16.2 percent, Asymco’s Horace Dediu points out Monday Apple’s share of the overall mobile phone market has increased

http://www.cultofmac.com/apple-has-l...773#more-79773

[Graham]

Although Apple has just 4.2 percent of the entire cell phone market – not just smartphones – the company pulls in 51 percent of the profit

Nobody's denying that Apple's phones are overpriced...

Graham

[Graham]

Although Apple’s share of the smartphone market slipped to 16.2 percent, Asymco’s Horace Dediu points out Monday Apple’s share of the overall mobile phone market has increased.

That's interesting, but probably applies to all the vendors who've come into the market on the back of the smartphone boom. Since Apple don't make a non-smartphone, this must mean that the overall smartphone market has grown substantially while the dumbphone market has contracted, benefiting the big players in smartphones.

Graham

[RockdaMan]

Originally Posted by Graham

Nobody's denying that Apple's phones are overpriced...

Graham

How do you decide where the line is crossed between adequately priced and overpriced?

[Graham]

Originally Posted by RockdaMan

How do you decide where the line is crossed between adequately priced and overpriced?

Each purchaser clearly has to make that decision for themselves, but if a company is fourth in global market share yet has over half the industry's profits it suggests that the devices could conceivably be sold a little cheaper.

Unless of course that those profits include app sales, in which case the statistic is not comparing like for like.

Graham

[RockdaMan]

Originally Posted by Graham

Each purchaser clearly has to make that decision for themselves, but if a company is fourth in global market share yet has over half the industry's profits it suggests that the devices could conceivably be sold a little cheaper.

Why would Apple do that?

Here is a follow-up to my original question: Do people who buy the iPhone feel that it is overpriced, but pay up anyway? Or do they feel like they're getting good value for their device?

[Graham]

Originally Posted by RockdaMan

Why would Apple do that?

Here is a follow-up to my original question: Do people who buy the iPhone feel that it is overpriced, but pay up anyway? Or do they feel like they're getting good value for their device?

I'm not quite sure how a thread about Android becoming the leader in global sales of smartphones has become one about people paying what they perceive as a reasonable price for their iPhone.

As I said in my previous post, it's up to the individual to decide what each individual device is worth to them. If they want to pay what appears to be a premium for an Apple device, given the company's market position yet profit share, that is entirely up to them.

The iPhone may indeed be an object of great desire to them - it's a very good phone. Or perhaps they have simply not done their research? There are other equally good phones that may suit them better, available more cheaply.

Graham

[RockdaMan]

Originally Posted by Graham

There are other equally good phones...available more cheaply.

That have access to the best in class IOS app store? Because that is a huge differentiator no one manufacturer can match.

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by RockdaMan

Why would Apple do that?

Here is a follow-up to my original question: Do people who buy the iPhone feel that it is overpriced, but pay up anyway? Or do they feel like they're getting good value for their device?

Same reason people buy Coke or Pepsi at twice the price of the store brand which tastes exactly the same and is made in an identical factory.

[Graham]

Originally Posted by RockdaMan

That have access to the best in class IOS app store? Because that is a huge differentiator no one manufacturer can match.

We get it, RockdaMan. You love the iPhone.

Personally, I'm happy with 200,000 apps in the Android market, with all the major bases covered. I can live without the other 200,000 in the Apple market for now. Increasingly apps are being released for both markets, and this really isn't the 'huge differentiator' you believe.

What would you like to tackle next? Android 'fragmentation'? You'll find that that is also a non-issue.

They're both excellent phone platforms.

Graham

[jocampo]

You cannot sell Android, is open source ...

I am not surprise by Android taking the lead in smartphone Os. It is based on Linux, one of the most stable operating systems in the world. Its low memory footprint and kernel make it suitable for small devices like cellphones or tablets. Besides Google has made a nice work, in my opinion, providing a nice but powerful UI.

[RockdaMan]

show me the evidence that it has ceased to be a difference maker...and I'll accept it. Many want to simply wish it away (as you tried to do), but, of course, reality does not work that way. Android before you dismiss me as an iFan, know that I'm posting this from an Android device.

[=X=]

Originally Posted by Graham

Nobody's denying that Apple's phones are overpriced...

Graham

LOL classic!