Right from the time Android made an entry into the mobile phone terrain, it has been creating more ripples than anyone else. In its final Q4 2010 global country-level smartphone market data report, Canalys recently disclosed that Google’s Android has occupied the coveted leading place as an operating system. According to the report, Android handset shipments have reached approximately 32.9 million whereas Nokia’s Symbian trails behind with 31 million units sailing across the globe.
It has been revealed that the OEM support for Google’s operating systems including the Android, OMS and Tapas has worked well with companies such as Samsung, Acer, HTC and LG. This is manifested through results which suggest 1,474 percent, 709 percent, 371 percent and 4,127 percent year-on-year growth in volumes, respectively. The study also highlighted that Samsung and HTC together account for approximately 45 percent of Android-enabled devices shipments. The company stood right at the forefront in the US market with around 12.1 million units being shipped out in the last quarter.
“2010 has been a fantastic year for the smart phone market. After a difficult 2009, the speed with which the market has recovered has required real commitment and innovation from vendors and they have risen to the challenge,” commented Canalys VP and Principal Analyst Chris Jones. “But vendors cannot afford to be complacent. 2011 is set to be a highly competitive year with vendors looking to use new technology, such as dual-core processors, NFC and 3D displays, to differentiate their products and maintain value.”
“The US landscape will shift dramatically this coming year, as a result of the Verizon-Apple agreement,” remarked Canalys Analyst Tim Shepherd. “Verizon will move its focus away from the Droid range, but the overall market impact will mean less carrier-exclusive deals, while increasing the AT&T opportunity for Android vendors, such as HTC, Motorola and Samsung.”
While Google marched ahead of several other well-established companies in the OS terrain, Nokia retains its place in the worldwide market as a leading smartphone manufacturer with about 28 percent share. The smartphone has reportedly registered 101.2 million units sales around the world, recording an 89 percent year-on-year growth in the fourth quarter of 2010. During this same period, HTC, Apple and RIM obtained the top three spots in the U.S. According to the research, the last quarter of 2010 saw 38.8 million smartphone shipments in the EMEA region with a 90 percent year-on-year growth rate. Additionally, Research in Motion’s the Curve series is said to have surpassed Nokia with over a million units in the Latin American region.
With Android achieving a glorious feat in the OS segment, Google seems to be gleaming about this new feather in its cap. Lastly, Japanese companies such as NEC, Casio and Panasonic have announced plans of integrating the OS for their upcoming solutions. This certainly will offer the Internet giant a more glorious basket to bask in.