Android 'vying for top spot' by 2014
Android will be one of the top two operating systems by 2014, according to Gartner.
Android will be one of the top two mobile operating systems by 2014, vying with Symbian to be number one, according to an analyst firm.
Combined, Google's and Nokia's mobile operating systems will make up 59.8 per cent of all mobile OS sales by that time, Gartner claimed.
Open-source platforms will dominate over 60 per cent of the market for smartphones by 2014, while growth of propriety platforms, like the Apple iOS and Research In Motion's OS will be sub-market average.
Single-source systems like Apple's, however, will increase in unit terms.
"Launches of updated operating systems such as Apple iOS 4, BlackBerry OS 6, Symbian 3 and Symbian 4, and Windows Phone 7 - will help maintain strong growth in smartphones in 2010 and 2011 and spur innovation," said Roberta Cozza, principal research analyst at Gartner.
"However, we believe that market share in the OS space will consolidate around a few key OS providers that have the most support from CSPs [communication service providers] and developers and strong brand awareness with consumer and enterprise customers."
Cozza suggested both CSPs and manufacturers alike will have to review platform strategies and "balance the need to pursue platforms with the highest current demand against the need to maintain differentiation with unique devices."
The Gartner predictions come hot on the heels of an IDC report that suggested Google's mobile OS will grow its market share from 16.3 per cent to 24.6 per cent by 2014.
This would put Android in second behind Symbian, as indicated in Gartner's suggestions.
-
Why patching velocity matters as Claude Mythos supercharges vulnerability discoveryFrontier AI models such as Claude Mythos and GPT-5.5 make patching more urgent than ever. How can firms increase the velocity at which they apply fixes and mitigations?
-
The UK is running on fumes as data center build-outs can’t keep pace with demandNews The country's vacancy rate has dropped sharply, with much of the pipeline early-stage and uncertain
-
Nexus 4 vs iPhone 5 vs S3 vs Lumia 920 vs BB Z10 head-to-head reviewReviews We put the best devices from Apple, BlackBerry, LG, Nokia and Samsung head-to-head.
-
Mobile phone sales dropped in Q2 but Samsung weathers stormNews Worldwide mobile sales dipped by just over two per cent in the second quarter of this year, as users hold out for the iPhone 5.
-
Mobile payments to oust cash and cardsNews Microchip and mobile payments will take over by 2020, consultants predict.
-
RIM unleashes PlayBook OS 2.0News PlayBook OS 2.0 comes with plenty of shiny features, but is it too late to save the tablet?
-
Q&A: All about BlackBerry Mobile FusionIn-depth We spoke to Tim Hodkinson, RIM's director of enterprise marketing for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) about the company's latest announcement and what it means for businesses.
-
Android snatches over half of smartphone sales in Q3News Android smashes the competition in the third quarter, as Apple sees an iPhone sales dip.
-
Touch and goIn-depth NFC is already making its presence felt for payments. But could it have wider business uses, asks Paul Briden?
-
Playbook to sync with Office 365News RIM’s tablet device delves deeper into the corporate market with the inclusion of Microsoft’s upcoming cloud suite.
