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According to research firm NPD Group, BlackBerry is still number one in sales of Smartphones in the US. But the big surprise was that the Android edged out Apple’s iPhone by 7%. Apparently more consumers wanted to use the new Google friendly interface. Perhaps these consumers were also subscribers of service providers other than AT&T, who still has exclusive rights to the iPhone.
Android edges out iPhone in 1st Quarter in US
The Android, or Droid as it is affectionately called, is its own operating system used on phones manufactured by Motorola, HTC, and Samsung, while the iPhone uses its own exclusive OS. The Droid is also available with a touch screen or a physical QWERTY keyboard, thus giving users a choice of how to interface. Personally I like the feel of a real keyboard. And I really like the feel of the raised keys of the new Motorola Devour over the flat keys of the Motorola Droid.
Ross Rubin, an analyst with NPD, says that the surge of Android device sales is due mostly to the fact that all the major service providers in the US are selling Smartphones using the new OS. “The wireless carriers in the U.S. are still the king makers in the mobile market,” said Rubin. “Verizon in particular is what is making the Android so successful right now with its promotions and marketing.”
What’s the prediction for upcoming sales? The NPD Group’s findings suggest that the iPhone would have had a bigger market share if it were available from other wireless service providers. (Duh!) My question is what will happen when AT&T loosens it grip on the iPhone? Will those using Droids go out and buy new iPhones? I don’t think the majority will do that. Sure, some techno addicts will, but for the most part we humans are creatures of habit. Most people don’t want to have to learn a whole new operating system. Learning the new apps on the Droid is probably stretching most users as it is. I think Apple made a huge mistake not releasing the iPhone to other providers sooner. What’s your take?
