Google’s Android smart phone operating platform was the only major platform to gain market share in the three months ending in July, according to a report by Web research firm comScore.
The July report found that Google’s average market share for the months of May, June and July was 17 percent among smart phone subscribers ages 13 and up — that’s up from a 12 percent average for February, March and April.
Both RIM’s BlackBerry and Apple’s iPhone lost market share in the latest report: -1.8 percent and -1.3 percent, respectively. Apple’s iPhone 4 was released on June 24.
Microsoft’s Windows Mobile platform lost the most market share between the two time periods: -2.2 percent, while Palm’s platform remained flat.
Overall, BlackBerry still holds the largest market share among smart phone platforms, comScore reported, with a 39.3 percent average for the three months ending in July.
The iPhone followed at 23.8 percent, then Android’s 17 percent, Windows Mobile’s 11.8 percent, and Palm’s 4.9 percent. Only 3.2 percent owned a smart phone operating under something other than these major platforms.
During the same period, the number of people that owned smart phones rose 11 percent — to 53.4 million.
"Despite losing share to Google Android, most smart phone platforms continue to gain subscribers as the smart phone market overall continues to grow," the report said.
A recent Inman News smart phone survey, which ran from July 28, 2010, through Aug. 6, 2010, asked real estate professionals about their smart phone preferences.
The largest share (41.8 percent) of respondents said they owned an Apple iPhone; 26.1 percent owned a BlackBerry; 19.4 percent owned an Android; 10 percent owned a Palm; and 3 percent had an "other" smart phone.
Among those respondents who said they planned to upgrade in the next six months, 62.3 percent said they would buy an iPhone; 24.6 percent said they would buy an Android; 9.8 percent would buy a BlackBerry; and 3.2 percent were split evenly between a Palm or "other" phone.
