According to this article in The Register, Android has become the most popular smartphone OS. Nokia are in second place followed by Apple followed by RIM and then Microsoft.

Hopefully developers out there will also start to release android versions of their software.

I've just got my first Android phone and its ace! Much better then my Blackberry ever was.

I'm an Android fan. Are these figures worldwide, US,Europe, far east?

I recall reading somewhere that the only thing propping the Symbian platform was developing third world sales.

Worldwide I think.

It's not clear whether Android is actually outselling iOS in total (because a large percentage of iOS devices aren't smartphones). But I imagine it will happen eventually. It's looking pretty much like all competitors other than those two (and WM7 possibly) are toast.

As to whether developers start to develop Android versions of their software - well that depends on whether Android users start actually buying apps (and whether Google creates a better app purchasing environment). For now, iOS is going to continue to dominate in terms of apps and games, because that's where the sales are.

Barely a day goes by without some article proclaiming victory or top sales for one of either Android, Blackberry or iOS. They can't all be right...

Depends how you define victory, really.

Though I'm not sure Blackberry is winning at anything these days...

There was a report last month which said that Nokia's third world sales were dropping and had slowed considerably from their earlier peak.

It's worth remembering with all these figures that Android, the basic OS, is free to any handset manufacturer to put on their devices. None of them have to pay Google, unless they want to include the Google App Suite (Market, Maps etc), even then it's cheaper per license than the old Windows Mobile was, which is probably why former Windows Mobile handset manufacturers have embraced Android (HTC, Motorola etc).

It's inevitable that Android will overtake Apple and BlackBerry as they're closed companies that don't license their operating systems to other handset makers.

This! ^^^

It's well documented that Android users download fewer paid applications and a lot of that is because when Android Market launched it was only with free apps. Then when paid apps appeared they were impossible to find because the Market was badly organised. Over time Google have worked to improve this and to highlight paid applications more, and they're improving the ways you can pay for apps (carrier billing, not having to have a Google Checkout account), but it's a bit like turning around an oil tanker, it's going to take a good while to undo the early issues.

Of course us phone users think it's awesome that there are loads of free apps, but that doesn't encourage application developers to support the platform. I mean, who here would want to do their day job for no money?

You'd think, yet this article and this article seem to disagree...


Yeah, but how many Android phones come without the App Suite? I can't think of one...

Some of the cheaper tablet devices do. In other countries some carriers don't want Android Market, Maps etc because they want to include an app store they control and include their own navigation options. The ability to have Android with or without the App Suite makes this very simple.

I love Android, I'm currently on my fourth Android handset, a LG Optimus One (which is great).

I started with a budget phone (Vodafone 845) to try the Android OS out, then when I moved to 3 for a better data deal I got a ZTE Racer followed by a Samsung Europa until last week when I got my Optimus.

Hopefully I'll be able to get a Nexus S in a few months as it looks like a brilliant handset.

I would never go back to Nokia because their OS is old fashioned and over-complicated and having tried out a new WindowsPhone 7 I cant explain why but that OS just did my head in

I have a new iPod touch so see no point in getting an iPhone.

Android Rules

Android for its popularity or iPhone for all the money?
Android is the worker bee, iPhone the queen bee.

A 600% sales increase in a year I think for Android.

It seems that some fuzzy maths was used in the calculation and Nokia is still ahead in smartphones, but not for long.

The author of that piece may have an agenda so can't really be considered a reliable source.

From his own website.
"Tomi T Ahonen - Author, Consultant and Motivational Speaker - Author of six bestselling hardcover books on mobile
and the former Nokia executive..............."

iPhone has to slip now that Android is available on so many phones, why limit yourself to one phone when a true choice of models is available.

I know that amongst my son's friends its no longer 'cool' to be seen with an iPhone, sort of last years news.

It is often noted in reviews that many Apple products (iPod Touch, iPhone, MacBook Pro) are the best products that have ever been tested.

A lot more than fashion there mate.

As opposed to someone who has never written anything, knows nothing of the mobile phone industry and nobody wants to hear him speak.

Actually he knows what he is talking about, is well respected and a reliable source.

I think you are spot on with that comment. I think it is rumoured that the android market will be a lot better with the Android 3 release, with a web based app. This will hopefully make it easier to purchase apps. There is an android 3 event today by Google. This should let us know what changes are in Android 3, and what market place changes we can expect.

More info here on the web based android market.

They are good products no argument there but none the less they have become fashion accessories (certainly the iPhone) and as such will suffer the uncertainties this brings.

Lets be honest Android phones do the same job and at least you can buy a phone to suit your budget, plus you have a phone where you can change the battery, upgrade the memory and don't have to hold in a certain manner.

What single feature of the iPhone is so exectional that I would want to spend £400 on one, what can it do that is head and shoulders above the Android? Nothing really other than people like the look of the phone and the badge it gives them owning/leasing one.

We are all prone to a degree of fashion weakness where our hearts rule our logic in purchasing some things. I bought a Discovery because I just wanted one when in reality I could have bought a second hand Toyota (perfect for my camping needs) and saved ten grand. The Disco does look better though

A web-based market is key. I almost always buy iOS apps in the (Computer) iTunes Store because it's a much better environment for finding out what's available than on the mobile. Google really should have copied that from the start. But at least it does seem like it's finally going to happen.

They need to improve the purchasing process too, so hopefully something on that will be announced.


What's a better non-phone multi-function app-enabled handheld device than an iPod Touch? It basically has that (very large) segment of the market to itself. I don't think anyone would seriously argue that it's not the best in its field.

As for the iPhone of MBP, they're extremely good devices. Whether they're the best or not really depends on your needs and personal preferences.

I tend to use appbrain when searching for apps. That is quite good.

I did like the 24hr refund policy that google had. Wasnt happy when they cut it to 15mins. What can you test in 15mins? Maybe something like 12hrs would have been more sensible.

The problem is that for a lot of games, you could download and complete the game easily within 24 (or even 12 hours). It might have seemed good for the consumer, but it was a huge barrier to app development.

I'm not sure that 15 minutes is the right compromise though. It might be best to allow certain games to chose to be pre-certified (a la iOS App Store), and remove the trial window for them, and give a 6 hour or 12 hour trial window for the rest.

You have a point there (completing a game and getting a refund), didnt think of that. If you liked a game enough to complete it, then surely you would then want to play it again, perhaps with new levels, addons etc?

Maybe let the developer decide on how long you have before a refund expires? As long s its clear how long you have before you make the purchase, everyone should be happy.

So now iphone is running in second place, is there a chance it could drop to third place after Nokia or Blackberry?

Depends on the game, I guess. It was obviously an issue for developers though. Quite a lot of games you could probably play to death in 24 hours, if you were that way inclined.


That's not a bad idea, though I suppose it might be a bit complicated. I have a feeling a lot of developers might pick the 'no trial period' option though.