Apple Sneaks by Android in Fourth Quarter U.S. Smartphone Sales

[Icaras]

So it's not the product, but the .... people?

Apparently so. Through all the bashing and distaste for "Apple praise" from people who just, well...love Apple products, because they simply do....still something in the community compels these folks to hang around. I simply have no explanation for it.

Like moths to a flame.

 

[Eidorian]

I think you hung out with the wrong people. They would have been fanatic over something, regardless. The endless condescension of Linux guys and (completely misplaced) superiority-complex of Windows/IT guys kept me on Mac. I always find it funny when people try to physically look down their noses at me. I'm 6'4".

I believe I have found my group of like minded moderates. I will stay there, for now at least. Excess passion and emotion leads to a higher chance of irrational behavior.

Still, on the other side of excess you are nothing more than an automaton waiting to be manipulated.

 

[Icaras]

I believe I have found my group of like minded moderates. I will stay there, for now at least. Excess passion and emotion leads to a higher chance of irrational behavior.

Still, on the other side of excess you are nothing more than an automaton waiting to be manipulated.

Like insults and name calling, just then?

 

[kaizenmx]

Which Sam.i.clone.apple.stuff.dung subsequently copied....

Nice argument. Fact that apple defense force is constantly name calling Samsung is just hilarious.

maybe I should start calling apple the Crapple.

 

[voonyx]

I think YOY is meaningless until the whole market settles down. We're still going through the falling out of RIM, WM and Symbian. Heck, YOY Android grew by almost 900% from the beginning of 2010 to the start of 2011. So what? If someone starts out small, they'll have big statistical gains.

Ok so this week marketshare doesn't matter? Will it matter next quarter if android is on top again? If not, then I agree with you, and that's what I've been saying since the beginning of time. Share does not matter because comparing android share to iPhone share is silly.

Ah. He didn't mean "bump" as "little hill", he meant "bump" as in "push". He said:

• He was pointing out that it's historically expected for Apple to get a short term big sales increase from people waiting for a new model... especially this one.
  
• The iPhone was not on Verizon or Sprint last year, and there was no 99 cent model.
  
• At the same time, Android buyers were waiting until the 2012 electronics shows to see what new models were coming out.
  
• RIM, which used to take a big chunk, is out of favor.

So, there was a latecoming new model, two major new carriers, and a super cheap model that reportedly sells extremely well. It would almost be a miracle if Apple's US sales share did not double from the year before.

Ok, but how come the Nexus didn't get a boost from people waiting? The RAZR? The Bionic (LOL)? Oh...cuz of choice, right? That's fine.

So how come the cheap android phones didn't give a boost to android like the cheap 99 cent iphone did? Oh cuz of choice, right? That's fine.

Where was the Android boost from the major holiday? Why did iPhone outsell ALL android almost 4:1 on Christmas day?

So people were waiting for CES to decide, huh? So how come iPhone outsold all android phones released after CES last year, and will do the same this year? Lemme guess...choice, right?

I guess the point being made here is choice does matter, and people are choosing iPhone in droves over every other Android phone combined in the 4Q. They will continue to choose iPhone over every other individual android phone forever, and the only metric that android will ever have is marketshare. Simple concept, but not just so easy to dismiss by lumping them into little "bumps", "hills", "valleys", "mountains" or "fjords".

 

[samcraig]

So true!!

Yet we are called Apple "sheep, fanbois, worshippers" for making the switch to Mac on a Apple specific website by the Windows and Android folks (who waste their time on a forum for products which they do not own)!

If you think that's why you're called those names then you are sadly mistaken.

----------

So true!!

Yet we are called Apple "sheep, fanbois, worshippers" for making the switch to Mac on a Apple specific website by the Windows and Android folks (who waste their time on a forum for products which they do not own)!

Btw - You have no idea what technology anyone here owns unless they've stated it. And since this is an Apple website - it's entirely possible that they own Apple hardware OR software but not EVERY product Apple makes. You know. Because people don't always buy just one brand.

Further - what does it say about a person who doesn't own an iPhone (but rather an Android device) yet rants and raves about how awesome the iPhone and iOS and pretty much condemns Android and all of their devices. I'm curious what you think about such a person.

 

[iBug2]

Further - what does it say about a person who doesn't own an iPhone (but rather an Android device) yet rants and raves about how awesome the iPhone and iOS and pretty much condemns Android and all of their devices. I'm curious what you think about such a person.

Anyone who compares two eco systems in detail without having actually used both for a long period of time is only fooling him/herself.

 

[marksman]

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Wow apple outselling scores of phones from a half dozen manufacturers is simply amazing.

Good job apple, you continue to amaze.

 

[marksman]

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ICS is not bad at all, the problem is they're still releasing phones with GB stock...

It wont be long, but soon Apple's unheralded advantages are going to catch up to their Android competitors:

1) Much safer/hassle-free phone environment.
2) Far better money-making platform for devs (very very limited piracy and copying, which is rampant on Android)
3) Here's the most important. At least in the US, Europe, and now China, unmatchable customer support.

The support thing is important. Apple has some of the best support for any mass consumer producer period. They are doing this in industries and against competitors that have zero real support and service. People buy apple products with little to no concern about support. Android handset makers buy their devices knowing they are screwed if anything goes wrong.

It is why the entire apple ecosystem is flourishing. They provide unmatched support and service

 

[KnightWRX]

All this bickering on both sides of the fence and yet no one pointed out the biggest piece of news in this article :

Combined, iOS and Android are close to owning 90% of the smartphone market in the US. That is to me the biggest piece of news here. That's not bodding well for competition, as we are heading again to a duopoly of platforms.

 

[marksman]

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I’d be curious to know what the largest fully-compatible touch platform is—not a zillion second-hand derivations of Android that are “Android" in name only, but the actual # of users who are able to all run the SAME apps on the SAME OS version. Many Android devices can’t run Android apps, and nearly all of them run long-outdated versions, with no OS upgrade offered.

So what’s the iOS 5 user base (or whatever iOS version is currently most-used?) vs. what’s the user base of Android people on 2.x (or whatever version is most-used) who can ALSO run Android market apps? That would be comparing the two largest “true platforms” in peoples’ hands, and would remove Android fragmentation from the equation. (As well as iOS fragmentation, but of course, that’s less of an issue.)

I suspect the iOS 5 user base is many fold the size of the ICS userbase.

 

[KnightWRX]

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I suspect the iOS 5 user base is many fold the size of the ICS userbase.

I don't know why people "speculate" about Android platform adoption/fragmentation as if it's some kind of big secret. Google updates those numbers constantly and provide them straight on their developer portal :

http://developer.android.com/resources/dashboard/platform-versions.html

No need for "speculation" or ranting, just go there and see for yourself what the numbers are.

 

[AidenShaw]

I am just curious about what compels a Windows user to think they need to make posts on a Mac specific website to supposedly correct any misunderstandings us Apple users have about Apple, iOS devices, and Macs.

Have you read the First Amendment to the United States Constitution? You know, the one often called the "free speech" amendment....

Or is there a new "Tea Party" belief that only speech that agrees with the tenets of the faithful is allowed?

And, by the way, the crickets are still the only sound we hear on this post where you claimed that T-Bolt could be used for clustering. Should I be curious about "what compels an Apple user" to make preposterous claims, and then disappear when the claims are shown to be ludicrous?

In what way? Aiden pointed out that 44.9% Apple vs 44.8% Android (those are 4Q USA sales) ... being 0.1% apart... is not a statistically big difference. They basically sold equally.

At least, they did if Kantar's figures are correct. On the other hand, Nielson's 4Q sales numbers are almost the same for Apple, but higher for Android:

Nielson's research divided it up as 46.9% Android, 44.5% Apple.

Sounds like a case of "there will be as many numbers as there are analysts and report companies"

This is why hanging your hat (of any type) on sales numbers is ridiculous. If your favorite is behind, sales don't matter, quality does. If your favorite is ahead, quantity is suddenly important. It's a silly battle and has been for decades in internet discussions.

Thank you - I read the early criticism of my post, but had to be off for some meetings and couldn't properly research the background data at that time. (In particular, if "Apple doubled from 22% to 44%, and Android slipped from 50% to 44%" - who dropped from 28% to 10%?)

Anyway, the Nielson numbers are a nice addition to my concern about the "margin of error".

Indeed, the most boastful claim that the Apple fans can make is that "IOS phones and Android phones are about equal".

Because Aiden, in his haste to make this seem insignificant, failed to mention that that 44.9% represents a DOUBLING of their US share YOY during the same quarter. So it's not just a little "bump" as Aiden made it out to seem. The little "bump" that Android had from 50% to 44.8% is more important though.

Again, since Android only slipped a little in the quarter that Apple introduced a long anticipated (and long delayed) upgrade - who was the loser?

I need to do some research, but I find it hard to believe that the Iphone only had 22% share of the smartphone market a year ago. Time to look at old MacRumours headlines and to check to see if someone redefined the term "smartphone market" since then....

 

[wonderspark]

I think this is exciting as H E double-toothpicks! I think it's great that there are two big players, and Microsoft claiming to be serious about their Windows Phone could make three! Maybe Blackberry can make a comeback, too? Yes, let's have some serious competition!

 

[Judas1]

There's actually a lot of entertainment being provided in this thread by the androids. You should stick around.

I actually meant that this is nothing for Apple fans to celebrate. Apple only makes 1 phone a year, so the increase in sales following the release is expected.

And yet you decided to stop in and do what tell others there's nothing to see here? I think some people need to follow their own advice.

I wanted to spoil Apple fan's celebration, thats all.

Fantastic! All a company needs to do to have the 4th best quarter in history is release a new product. Why didn't anyone else think of that?

Apple has really made a name for itself. Now its just riding that name. Sure the original iphone was above any of its competitor, but the current iphone 4s. Definitely not. Only those that are new to smartphones, or are lifelong Apple users would disagree with that statement. You can pick which one you fall into.

 

[faroZ06]

What? Who is buying these? I know 2 people who use Droids. Neither of them plan on getting one again.

----------

Apple has really made a name for itself. Now its just riding that name. Sure the original iphone was above any of its competitor, but the current iphone 4s. Definitely not. Only those that are new to smartphones, or are lifelong Apple users would disagree with that statement. You can pick which one you fall into.

The original iPhone did not have an app store or anything that really defines it other than an iPod + phone. The 4s is definitely above the competitors in my opinion and in the opinion of everyone I know except for this one super Google fan. There are opinions and facts. The fact is, the iPhone is produced by Apple running Apple software exclusively, while most Droids and other phones are produced by random hardware companies and running software from MS or Google. Even Motorola (now Google) Droids use Oracle's software in the Android OS (there was a lawsuit over this). iOS is considered more stable than Android, and it is programmed in objective C instead of Java, which makes it more efficient. Droids have more hardware features because they are so diverse, but 4G isn't really useful (all it does is lets you load videos and audio faster IN CERTAIN AREAS, which you wouldn't do anyway to conserve the plan), and I'm sure most people don't find 3D very useful. They do have a bit more freedom app-wise, but this also allows viruses and trojans to affect Android phones. A trojan did exist for iOS a while ago if you jailbroke it and enabled SSH without changing the password. There are some Droids with faster processors and more RAM, but I don't really see any use for that. A Droid could be much better for someone who programs in Java and wants to make apps for it, however, so there is a niche of people who have good reason to use one.

I have never owned a smartphone, I think the iPhone is the best by far, and I have used Microsoft products half my life, so I can't really pick which one I am.

 

[linux2mac]

Have you read the First Amendment to the United States Constitution? You know, the one often called the "free speech" amendment....

Or is there a new "Tea Party" belief that only speech that agrees with the tenets of the faithful is allowed?

And, by the way, the crickets are still the only sound we hear on this post where you claimed that T-Bolt could be used for clustering. Should I be curious about "what compels an Apple user" to make preposterous claims, and then disappear when the claims are shown to be ludicrous?

Read the post again. Are those my words?

 

[dgree03]

Have you read the First Amendment to the United States Constitution? You know, the one often called the "free speech" amendment....

Or is there a new "Tea Party" belief that only speech that agrees with the tenets of the faithful is allowed?

And, by the way, the crickets are still the only sound we hear on this post where you claimed that T-Bolt could be used for clustering. Should I be curious about "what compels an Apple user" to make preposterous claims, and then disappear when the claims are shown to be ludicrous?




Thank you - I read the early criticism of my post, but had to be off for some meetings and couldn't properly research the background data at that time. (In particular, if "Apple doubled from 22% to 44%, and Android slipped from 50% to 44%" - who dropped from 28% to 10%?)

Anyway, the Nielson numbers are a nice addition to my concern about the "margin of error".

Indeed, the most boastful claim that the Apple fans can make is that "IOS phones and Android phones are about equal".




Again, since Android only slipped a little in the quarter that Apple introduced a long anticipated (and long delayed) upgrade - who was the loser?

I need to do some research, but I find it hard to believe that the Iphone only had 22% share of the smartphone market a year ago. Time to look at old MacRumours headlines and to check to see if someone redefined the term "smartphone market" since then....

Don't worry Aiden, once he doesnt have a ridiculous pointless comeback, he just ignores the facts and moves on to another pointless rant. You were his rebound!

See he still has yet to answer my posts below

LOL! FUD that Android and Windows are buggy boatloads of malware and security breaches! Seriously?

Linux don't let facts get in your way

http://www.federalnewsradio.com/?nid=394&sid=2694787

"Also, the STIG applies to only one device for now, the Dell Streak, though DoD and its vendors are hoping to see approval for more devices soon. Additionally, DISA and Good are working to implement sufficient security measures to allow a STIG to be approved for Apple's iOS-based devices. iPads and iPhones are currently being tested in various corners of DoD under a DISA-approved Interim Security Configuration Guide which only allows the devices to be used in a pilot phase. "

But wait, there's more

http://www.pcworld.com/businesscent...es_a_securityenhanced_version_of_android.html

I'll wait for you to find an NSA approved iPhone. If it isn't NSA approved, it doesnt meet the highest security standards.

 

[BaldiMac]

So, there was a latecoming new model, major holiday, two major new carriers, and a super cheap model that reportedly sells extremely well. It would almost be a miracle if Apple's US sales share did not double from the year before when they only had a half year old model for sale on ATT during the Holiday Season.

It would "almost be a miracle" if Apple didn't have the fourth largest quarter of any company in history? Talk about grading on a curve!

Apple has really made a name for itself. Now its just riding that name. Sure the original iphone was above any of its competitor, but the current iphone 4s. Definitely not. Only those that are new to smartphones, or are lifelong Apple users would disagree with that statement. You can pick which one you fall into.

The old, preemptive "anyone who disagrees with me is ignorant or irrational" argument. Bravo.

 

[duffman9000]

Guess they dropped the Bionic too early...I mean 8 month delay?? Clearly not long enough to build up that demand.

After playing with a Bionic I came away laughing. People actually waited for that?

 

[linux2mac]

Linux don't let facts get in your way

http://www.federalnewsradio.com/?nid=394&sid=2694787

"Also, the STIG applies to only one device for now, the Dell Streak, though DoD and its vendors are hoping to see approval for more devices soon. Additionally, DISA and Good are working to implement sufficient security measures to allow a STIG to be approved for Apple's iOS-based devices. iPads and iPhones are currently being tested in various corners of DoD under a DISA-approved Interim Security Configuration Guide which only allows the devices to be used in a pilot phase. "

But wait, there's more

http://www.pcworld.com/businesscent...es_a_securityenhanced_version_of_android.html

I'll wait for you to find an NSA approved iPhone. If it isn't NSA approved, it doesnt meet the highest security standards.

Department of Defense? Highest security standards? Really? ROFLMAO!!

The same folks that thought it not strange that a man paid money to learn how to fly at a commercial aircraft training facility here in my home city but was not interested in learning how to take off and land?

"he wanted to learn how to fly a 747 but wasn’t interested in takeoffs or landings."

Warning Signs of 9-11 and Intelligence Failures
http://www.mediamonitors.net/mosaddeq36.html

That didn't raise a flag? *cough* Sept 11 !!

U.S. Government Online Security Website Hacked
http://www.pcworld.com/businesscent...overnment_online_security_website_hacked.html


Pentagon Admits 24,000 Files Were Hacked, Declares Cyberspace A Theater Of War
http://articles.businessinsider.com...4321_1_cyber-threat-cyber-attacks-new-command

Thanks for reminding me.

 

[dgree03]

Department of Defense? Highest security standards? Really? ROFLMAO!!

The same folks that thought it not strange that a man paid money to learn how to fly at a commercial aircraft training facility here in my home city but was not interested in learning how to take off and land?

"he wanted to learn how to fly a 747 but wasn’t interested in takeoffs or landings."

Warning Signs of 9-11 and Intelligence Failures
http://www.mediamonitors.net/mosaddeq36.html

That didn't raise a flag? *cough* Sept 11 !!

U.S. Government Online Security Website Hacked
http://www.pcworld.com/businesscent...overnment_online_security_website_hacked.html


Pentagon Admits 24,000 Files Were Hacked, Declares Cyberspace A Theater Of War
http://articles.businessinsider.com...4321_1_cyber-threat-cyber-attacks-new-command

Thanks for reminding me.

Can you name any agency that has higher security standards? Ill wait...

 

[BaldiMac]

Can you name any agency that has higher security standards? Ill wait...

What point are you trying to prove?

 

[SandynJosh]

What is your point of continuing to post about android malware? with the same links and same empty rhetoric?

You speak as if malware is a ho-hum issue. If I sync my iPhone with my iPad and my iPod Touch and my iMac I don't want to be syncing any maleware too. In Android's case, the exploits are endless, one infected device can infect all devices when they were to be synced.

So, do all the devices need to check themselves for body lice before jumping on a cloud, or does the "open exploit" situation mean syncing is precluded? You just gotta know that hackers see Android as a exploitable platform that can not protect itself due to its very "open" nature. Therefore, "we haven't seen nothing yet" is only a mater of time.

I love it that Apple can check apps at the door, and even remotely "kill" any misbehaving apps.

Maleware aside, Andriod phones and tablets are fractured over at least three versions, with 2.2 being the most used, but far from the most recent. Then, as if that isn't enough, 2.2 has been bastardized by manufacturers into at least three variations. Then, scattered over all these versions and variations of OS we have a perplexing array of touch screen sizes, some of which support keyboards. How does one write apps for such a fractured platform, or protect such a mess from exploits?

Even Verizon, who championed the Android platform when they had no iPhone to sell, has seen the iPhone outsell Andriod in the past six months. There is a multitude of reasons for this turn-around.

Finally, I suspect that the malware vulnerability of Android will be a factor that Microsoft may use to gain marketshare at Android's expense, if Monkey Boy ever get's WM8 to market.

Just my thoughts on this topic.

 

[dgree03]

Corporations love iOS more than BlackBerry OS; Android seen as a security risk
Posted: 18 Jan 2012, 19:25, by Alan F.

You were saying?

I have no doubt Android will continue to reign as the King of Malware. I am not hating on Android just stating facts.

LOL! FUD that Android and Windows are buggy boatloads of malware and security breaches! Seriously?

See above, but I am sure you had the ability to re-read the thread

What point are you trying to prove?