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

[linux2mac]

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

You keep waiting. Meh - I prefer my private security detail of Mr. Kimber and Mr. Mossberg. If the horse manure ever hits the fan, you can rest assured I won't be waiting for some government agency to come to my rescue.

 

[BaldiMac]

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

I did read the thread. I just have no idea what your discussion about DOD approval has to do with any of that. Hence, my question that you did not answer.

 

[dgree03]

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.

Malware is a problem for uninformed users, just like it is a problem on windows 7 for uninformed users.

for the user who installs unsigned .apks or apps within the app store without reading the access info they have the ability to get infected. Thats the nature of the beast.

 

[voonyx]

Malware is a problem for uninformed users, just like it is a problem on windows 7 for uninformed users.

for the user who installs unsigned .apks or apps within the app store without reading the access info they have the ability to get infected. Thats the nature of the beast.

Blame the victim for an insecure os. Stay classy.

 

[Eidorian]

Malware is a problem for uninformed users, just like it is a problem on windows 7 for uninformed users.

for the user who installs unsigned .apks or apps within the app store without reading the access info they have the ability to get infected. Thats the nature of the beast.

Most users are required to root the phone in order to install packages from unknown sources...

 

[dgree03]

I did read the thread. I just have no idea what your discussion about DOD approval has to do with any of that. Hence, my question that you did not answer.

Point being if malware and "security breaches" where such a problem then NSA, DOD, or any other government agency would not consider the phone for use. with protections, anything can be used with an acceptable risk. Even the iPhone is getting evaluated to determine the risk and what is acceptable.

2 instances were the dell streak with android 2.2 and where android phones can be used to install SElinux flavor for even more security, give android the leg up in the government and maybe even corporate environment

 

[voonyx]

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

I know...I bought one, had it for a week and said "yeah...no"

 

[dgree03]

Blame the victim for an insecure os. Stay classy.

What is insecure about android os? give examples? I am talking about the underlying OS and architecture..

 

[BaldiMac]

Malware is a problem for uninformed users, just like it is a problem on windows 7 for uninformed users.

for the user who installs unsigned .apks or apps within the app store without reading the access info they have the ability to get infected. Thats the nature of the beast.

But it's not a problem for uninformed iOS users.

Most users are required to root the phone in order to install packages from unknown sources...

Sure, but there is still the problem of malware available from the Android Market.

 

[SandynJosh]

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

Are you talking about the Dept of Defense? The same Dept of Defense that was flying drones over Afghanistan? The drones of which was exploited while in the air and made to show the enemy what its cameras were zeroing in on. Are you talking about that Dept of Defense??

Are you talking about the Dept of Defense? The same Dept of Defense that was flying drones over Iran? The most advanced of which was exploited while in the air and taken over to make it land within Iran. Are you talking about that Dept of Defense??

Are you talking about the Dept of Defense? The same Dept of Defense that allowed a low grade common soldier to download and steal more Secret documents from an un-encrypted computer in one time than the Russians managed to steal in several decades?. Are you talking about that Dept of Defense??

 

[voonyx]

What is insecure about android os? give examples? I am talking about the underlying OS and architecture..

I'd say the fact that developers can spoof apps, including official google apps makes it insecure. Wouldn't you?

 

[silver8ack]

It's amazing that one device can crush the entire Android platform.

 

[BaldiMac]

Point being if malware and "security breaches" where such a problem then NSA, DOD, or any other government agency would not consider the phone for use. with protections, anything can be used with an acceptable risk. Even the iPhone is getting evaluated to determine the risk and what is acceptable.

2 instances were the dell streak with android 2.2 and where android phones can be used to install SElinux flavor for even more security, give android the leg up in the government and maybe even corporate environment

Sure, the DOD just had to disable access to the Android Market, bluetooth, and wifi, and then install their own management console.

Not sure how that refutes the claims that you are responding to in relation to most consumers. Sounds like it's an issue of control for the DOD, not any vulnerabilities in iOS.

 

[dgree03]

I'd say the fact that developers can spoof apps, including official google apps makes it insecure. Wouldn't you?

Is linux insecure too? What about OSX?

Sure, the DOD just had to disable access to the Android Market, bluetooth, and wifi, and then install their own management console.

Not sure how that refutes the claims that you are responding to in relation to most consumers. Sounds like it's an issue of control for the DOD, not any vulnerabilities in iOS.

Same thing they would have to do for the iphone to get approved, whats your point?

Didn't someone get a malware app into the App store? So they are not immune to the same attacks that android is exposed too..

 

[voonyx]

Is linux insecure too? What about OSX?



Same thing they would have to do for the iphone to get approved, whats your point?

Didn't someone get a malware app into the App store? So they are not immune to the same attacks that android is exposed too..

Difference is a malware app in the app store is an anomaly...malware on android is a formality

 

[duffman9000]

Malware is a problem for uninformed users, just like it is a problem on windows 7 for uninformed users.

for the user who installs unsigned .apks or apps within the app store without reading the access info they have the ability to get infected. Thats the nature of the beast.

Are you referring to the Android Marketplace? If yes, a user shouldn't have to worry about being infected by malware. Emphasis on shouldn't. Does Google police their marketplace like Apple?

But using 3rd party marketplaces, yeah, it's good practice to evaluate every app you install.

I've never thought about malware in the App Store. I never thought I would say that about installing software.

 

[voonyx]

Are you referring to the Android Marketplace? If yes, a user shouldn't have to worry about being infected by malware. Emphasis on shouldn't. Does Google police their marketplace like Apple?

But using 3rd party marketplaces, yeah, it's good practice to evaluate every app you install.

I've never thought about malware in the App Store. I never thought I would say that about installing software.

There is no vetting process in the android market, anyone with twenty five bucks can create any app they want

 

[kdarling]

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%?)

I would guess RIM, mostly.

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

Neither one, since both sold almost the same number of phones.

Remember, this is simply giving sales share of an expanding market. Anyone's share can drop percentage wise and yet they could still be selling millions more than before. Let's check it out using some rough unchecked numbers:

~17 million smartphones sold in the US in 4Q 2010.
Android = 50% = 8.5 million
Apple = 22% = 3.7 million

~24 million smartphones sold in the US in 4Q 2011.
Android = 44% = 11 million = 2.5 million more than 4Q 2010
Apple = 44% = 11 million = 7.3 million more than 4Q 2010

Both sold more than last year, but Apple sold a lot more than the same time last year. Why?

--

One big reason is that last year the iPhone was sold only on ATT. This year it's also sold to Verizon and Sprint, more than doubling the available market. In fact, I would have expected iPhone sales to jump to 7-8 million total JUST because of that expanded market.

And sure enough, over half of Apple's 7.3 million gain came from Verizon's 4.2 million sales. Sprint would also account for a bunch.

Note that Verizon said that was double the number of the previous quarter, and credited it to the 4S coming out. This would also be true for ATT. In other words, without the 4S, then Apple's sale share for Christmas would've likely been more like 30% instead of 44%.

In either case, it's impressive.

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....

The phrase "market share" in this particular report refers only to percentage of total sales in the market during the quarter, not total ownership.

 

[SandynJosh]

Malware is a problem for uninformed users, just like it is a problem on windows 7 for uninformed users.

for the user who installs unsigned .apks or apps within the app store without reading the access info they have the ability to get infected. Thats the nature of the beast.

You are incorrect on all accounts. The ONLY way to get malware on an iDevice is to jailbreak it and then load an app from outside the Apple App Store.

----------

Didn't someone get a malware app into the App store? So they are not immune to the same attacks that android is exposed too..

Nope! What you are remembering is an App that was loaded onto an jailbroke iPhone from outside Apple's walled garden App Store. Nice try though.

 

[BaldiMac]

Same thing they would have to do for the iphone to get approved, whats your point?

That your DOD approval story doesn't prove what you think it proves.

Didn't someone get a malware app into the App store? So they are not immune to the same attacks that android is exposed too..

Way to shift those goalposts. One possible piece of malware, if it existed, that was available for a minimal amount of time is not the same as the malware problem on Android.

 

[AppleScruff1]

"It's an .88 Magnum. It shoots through schools."

ROFL! I saw that movie so long ago. Thanks for reminding me.

 

[kdarling]

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!

Sounds like you're talking about worldwide profits.

I was talking about the number of USA iPhone sales, which just by adding Verizon and Sprint, Apple had well over double the potential market size from the previous year.

I think we're on different topics

 

[linux2mac]

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

Still think I was spreading FUD by calling Android a boatload of Malware? Plenty of other posters think not.

Swoosh - nothing but net!

 

[BaldiMac]

Sounds like you're talking about worldwide profits.

I was talking about the number of USA iPhone sales, which just with adding Verizon and Sprint gave Apple well over double the potential market size from the previous year.

Not even close to the same topic

First, Apple's potential market didn't double. That would imply that people on Verizon or Sprint couldn't buy an iPhone. Which is, of course, false. They could switch to an iPhone just as easily as AT&T customers for the most part. Apple just made their product more appealing by supporting more carriers.

Second, your claim that it would be a miracle if they didn't double their sales is just ridiculous. If only product rollouts were so predictable.

I used the staggering worldwide numbers to illustrate just how unexpected that growth really was. (And they haven't released the 4S in China yet!)

 

[dgree03]

Still think I was spreading FUD by calling Android a boatload of Malware? Plenty of other posters think not.

Swoosh - nothing but net!

We got so far away from my original point I feel I am partly to blame! So let me fix this....

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