Android, Apple iOS Dominate Mobile Market: Report

Google's Android platform continues to be a powerhouse in the highly competitive smartphone market, despite a recent study that reported malware attacks are up nearly 500 per cent.

Industry analysts Nielson recently released its third quarter statistics for smartphone usage among United States-based mobile subscribers. Researchers found that Android once against ranked as the most popular mobile operating system (OS), with devices using this platform accounting for approximately 42.8 per cent of the total smartphone market.

More specifically, Android phones made by HTC accounted for 15 per cent of the market, with Motorola and Samsung Android phones making up 10.4 per cent and 10.1 per cent, respectively. All other Android phones together accounted for 7.2 per cent of the market. (Source: computerworld.com)

The second-ranking system belongs to Apple. Its iOS-based iPhone constituted 28.3 per cent of the overall smartphone market.

RIM, Microsoft Bring Up Rear

Behind Apple's iOS is Research in Motion (RIM), while its BlackBerry operating system covered just 17.8 per cent.

Times have been tough for RIM in recent months, which has experienced disappointing reviews and sales of its most recent line of BlackBerry smartphone devices. Experts don't expect RIM's share of this market to increase beyond 18 per cent any time soon.

Microsoft completes the list with its Windows Mobile and Windows Phone 7 operating systems, which together account for about 6.1 per cent of the total smartphone market. Although its numbers remain small compared to Android and Apple, Microsoft -- unlike RIM -- is thought to be headed in the right direction.

Together, Apple and Android Own Smartphone Market

Android and Apple combine for about 71 per cent of the smartphone market. Owners of these two types of devices download about 83 per cent of all mobile apps available. (Source: msn.com)

Nielson also released general statistics on smartphone use, including its finding that about forty-four per cent of all U.S. mobile users are now paying the extra for smartphones -- an increase of three per cent since Nielson's second quarter report.