Estimates reveal that these two operating systems have a 91 percent control over the market.
Analysts from the International Data Corporation have revealed their latest technology news estimates following the sales of mobile devices in the fourth quarter of 2012, which have shown that Android and iOS made up 91.1 percent of all smartphone sales.
This shows that nine out of every ten devices is based on Google or Apple’s operating system.
Between those two companies, the technology news for Android is the most positive, as it is that operating system that holds the top spot. In fact, during the last quarter of last year, almost 69 percent of all smartphone sales were devices that ran on Google’s mobile operating system. There were approximately 500 million smartphones sold based on Android in 2012. At the same time, Apple sold approximately 136 million devices, giving it a 19 percent share of the smartphone market.
The technology news for Apple was greatest in Western markets.
The reason that its numbers increased as quickly as they did wasn’t because of any top technology news releases such as because of a brand new device. Though the excitement related to the iPhone 5 release did contribute, many of the device sales were of the iPhone 4 and 4S, which had lower prices when they were no longer the latest devices from the manufacturer.
In terms of the market share held by other companies, the sale of BlackBerry devices dipped by over 36 percent last year. It should be noted that the recovery of that company did not happen until after this study was complete, as the BlackBerry 10 was only released within the last few weeks. It is, therefore, difficult to gauge the current position of that operating system in the grand scheme.
Microsoft phones were estimated to be at the bottom of the top four operating systems. Their latest technology news statistics placed their market share at 2.5 percent during the last quarter of 2012. It remains difficult to determine where the market shares will be by the end of this year, as considerable partnerships and releases will certainly occur between now and that time.
Android users lag in importance behind Apple customers in mobile commerce
As opportunities in mobile commerce continue to grow and change, retailers consistently say that Apple consumer rule mobile commerce despite lower smartphone sales. However, it appears that though iPhone users are a minority they are far more likely to use their smartphones to make purchases and otherwise engage in mobile commerce.
Lucrative mobile commerce business
Apple seems to have bigger visibility with iPhones, but sales for Android powered phones accounted for 52.5 percent of smartphone sales and iPhones made up just 34.3 percent. Those figures can be misleading through, because Apple has huge gains and sales in the tablet market with the iPad alone dominating with 76 percent of the market share. Android and other manufacturers make up the rest.
However, that does not account for those actually using their smartphones to make mobile commerce transactions. These are essentially payments made by use of the smartphone – allowing some consumers to leave their wallet at home. Apple’s iPhone users may be a smaller crowd, but they are by far the most likely to use a smartphone for a purchase rather than whipping out the credit card or paying in cash.
The difference is in the user
Though iPhones account for lower sales, they are higher priced than most Android powered smartphones. In essence, those with less expendable income are far more likely to get a less expensive Android when smartphone shopping. The iPhone user is more into using the smartphone for all of the capacities it possesses and are more likely to be up to trying newer trends like mobile commerce transactions for simply buying coffee at a corner shop. Android users are in on the action, but are far behind iPhone consumers in cash to spend and on the willingness to try new ways of spending it.
Kevin Edwards of Affiliate Window said, “Apple users are typical early adopters. They’re generally tech-savvy individuals who embrace new ways of interacting and transacting online.” He also theorizes that Apple customers are more comfortable about shopping and more confident in shopping online. Not only are iPhone users more active in mobile commerce, the same can be said for iPad users as well.
