I read today on 3G.co.uk that Android now has 48.3% of the UK market, with RIM (Blackberry) in second place with 21.2% and Apple 3rd with 20.8%.
These statistics are of course a little misleading; it would be interesting to see the market share broken out by handset manufacturer rather than operating system. It does beg the question which is now more important, particularly as Android is an open software system and can be adapted by the OEMs. For the latest example of this you need only look at the recently announced Kindle Fire.
I have been waiting to upgrade my 3GS to an iPhone 5 when it comes out and I am optimistic that the iOS5 which was announced on 6th June will be unveiled and available from today at Apple’s “Let’s talk iPhone” event.
While Android has certainly put the nails in the Symbian coffin, the wide range of devices on which the operating system is available is less of a threat to Apple than the rest of the market players. 70% of iPhone users upgrade to another iPhone, a statistic that I would expect to increase.
With the seamless compatibility between my MacBook Pro, my iPad2 and my iPhone, I expect that iOS5 will enhance Apple’s reputation for producing the must have consumer technology – with the others playing catch up again. The challenge is to get up to speed with all the innovation in order to make the most of it.
Would you chose your smart phone on the basis of the Operating System or the Manufacturer? Let me know.
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