iOS Still King, Regardless of Smartphone Market
By Ed Oswald | Tuesday, April 19, 2011 at 9:44 pm
Data coming out of research firm comScore validates what many have been saying about the battle between Android and iOS: that across all devices, Google’s mobile operating system still has a long ways to go to supplant Apple’s dominant position overall, despite analyst claims.
Across an estimated install base of some 236 million “connected media devices” — that would include phones, tablets, music devices with Internet connectivity and app support, etc. — Apple has a 16.2 percent share or about 37.9 million devices. Android trails with a 10.2 percent share or about 23.8 million devices.
In other words, Apple has a 59 percent larger market for its devices right now compared to Android — highlighting its strong position for iOS outside of smartphones.
Another interesting fact? comScore says that many iOS users do not own more than one device. “Though it’s frequently assumed that the Apple user base is composed of dedicated Apple ‘fanboys’, there’s not a tremendous amount of overlapping mobile device access among these users,” mobile senior vice president Mark Donovan said of the results.
It could also be that while somebody may own an iPad, they might have an Android phone, or own a Galaxy Tab yet have an iPod touch and so forth. I know several people who fit into these types of categories.
comScore’s data is sure to only continue the argument over mobile OS supremacy, but certainly highlights that looking at smartphones alone may not be the best way to make one’s case. Android still has a long way to go in the tablet market, where the iPad rules all.
Android partners’ efforts to undercut the iPad on price may be the first salvos in what will be the next mobile battle to watch, but let’s remember the tablet started at $499 and Apple did indicate it was willing to compete on price.
Don’t be surprised if the iPad becomes cheaper in the not-too-distant future…
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April 19th, 2011 at 10:11 pm
1. This is just USA data, not worldwide so we cant know for sure if it is true globally. I can give you several other countries where android is on top, what we need is global data instead of just country specific reports
2. It is not for just one quarter but the whole ammount of devices since the very first android and apple devices started being sold, android is outshipping apple for the last couple of 2 or 3 quarters. since this counts total number sold it contains apple sales from even before the first android device was released, so android even with over a year less time in the market is really catching up.
3. There are 350.000 android devices activated daily worldwide, apples last count was 275.000.
4. It is very early for android tablets, a lot of products have not shipped and because comscore counts until february it doesnt count a single honeycomb tablet, like the xoom which was the first android tablet.
now if you think about all these android fans dont need to worry 🙂
April 20th, 2011 at 7:20 am
"Security researchers have discovered that Apple's iPhone keeps track of where you go – and saves every detail of it to a secret file on the device which is then copied to the owner's computer when the two are synchronised." http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/apr/20/…
Now that this has been "discovered", I can say without fear of breaking Clearance regs that this data did NOT stay put on your computer after the synch'ing… You can thank Stevie later. LOL!
April 20th, 2011 at 7:25 am
So let me get this straight. *Apple* has made it possible, for someone with physical access to your phone and your computer to know where you've been?
And this is a surprise? The only surprising part is that it requires physical access.
Wake up chum, if someone gets their hands on your PC and your phone, your location history is the least of your problems.
April 20th, 2011 at 8:00 am
LOL! Head in sand much?
"A US Department of Justice test of the CelleBrite UFED used by Michigan police found the device could grab all of the photos and video off of an iPhone within one-and-a-half minutes. The device works with 3000 different phone models and can even defeat password protections." http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/34/3458.asp
April 20th, 2011 at 8:44 am
Moving the goal posts? We were taking about a location DB and now you are changing to something else. Try again.
Again, no surprise here. I assume that stuff on my phone is up for grabs, which is why I'm careful about what I put on my phone. No different than the data collection articles that have been around for years.
I have news for you. Someone can get into your house while you aren't there and rummage around too. There are dozens of ways to get info about you, pal. Being "The_Heraclitus" isn't much protection.
April 20th, 2011 at 9:11 am
One other thing. That device seems to require physical access, so I'm not sure what your point is.
April 20th, 2011 at 9:37 am
Yes, someone would need access to the device (or a computer it had been synched with) to see the data. Which is one reason why it’s the general lesson taught by the discovery that’s an eye-opener as much as the specifics. Of course, the “jealous spouse” scenario holds, as well as various other ones involving someone gaining access to the file.
–Harry
April 20th, 2011 at 7:22 am
I disagree. You are comparing apples to oranges–no punn intended. This would be like saying that if Windows 8 looked like Windows Phone, the Windows family of operating systems has a lead because of the number of PCs. Different devices, different market, separate analysis. Since Android is free, what if Playstations and Xboxes intalled Android on their systems? Would that count? What if every TV maker installed Android on their TVs?
April 20th, 2011 at 7:24 am
Ok obviously X-Boxes wont have Android, but you get my point.