Apple Sneaks Up on Motorola in Mobile Phone Sales, Android Surges Past iOS

[gloomcookie1]

WTF...
It would be SKEWED if they DID include the iPod & iPad iOS data.
When they start selling media players with Android on then, then MAYBE you'll have a point. Till then, that comment will just remain another retarded apples to oranges attempt to save face.
Besides, Android's PRIMARY use currently IS smartphones, which is what they are comparing.

Hey, lets compare a Ford F150 to a Dodge Ram!
OH! Don't forget to include all Dodge Durango and Dodge Journey data in this pickup truck comparison!

So just becuase manufacturers can't seem to come up with a decent tablet or media player using Android it doesn't count. Sorry, didn't know developers made applications for hardware manufacturers and not software platforms. I wonder if all those guys pick to develop for HP and not Dell.

 

[skeep5]

Same here. If anyone I know is using an android they are hiding it. Almost everyone uses RIM and a smaller percentage use Apple, that I know.

I work with an Android user, and he's got the same story as anyone, there's things he loves about his droid and things that bug him. He's not the only one I know with android, and their stories are all pretty much the same. Mostly the complaints I hear are about the hardware, design, battery, etc.

Then I smile and whip out my iPhone and smack them in the face with it. And call them Sally.

 

[cujimmy]

They're both amazing devices. Pick one. Enjoy it.

But if I pick Android, does it sync contacts, iCal etc with my Mac in the way my iPhone does? Or is it an annoying, fiddly process?

 

[parapup]

Supply constraints holding back Apple - sure they are but what about the same supply constraints affecting Android devices - I have tried and failed to buy a HTC EVO and can't get a DroidX in store anywhere. I am sure it's going to be the same story with Droid 2.

I think supply constraint impacts Android much more than iOS. What's really holding back iOS is AT&T

 

[KScottMyers]

As others have noted, it is not so much about the user interface as it is about the availability of different carriers. That is all it is for me. I would much rather use an iPhone any day. I just refuse AT&T.

True - I forget that many people refuse to switch. Hopefully that won't be an issue soon, if they hook up with Verizon or others.

 

[LagunaSol]

I say let knowledge be our guide. There are vast differences between the emerging PC market of the '80s and the emerging mobile market of today. For one, security was a non issue for years and Microsoft didn't take it seriously for a long time.

Conversely, security was an important concern on Unix/Linux systems from the get go and here we are.

Fact: if you can build it, you can break it.
Fact: mobile computing is the new frontier for malware.
Fact: the dominant mobile platform will attract the malware creators.
Fact: Android's "open" marketplace philosophy does it no favors in regards to security.

 

[Rodimus Prime]

And how this helps?

Because it makes people think about it. They reliese they are paying more for less specs.

It doesn't matter who brought it up, you're the one who made the bogus assertion.

So it is ok for your side to make arguments that apple gets more profit per phone than an Android phone but it is "bogus" for me to point out that you are having to pay more for less.

Does not seem right. Either go after people making the same bogus argument the other direction. I only responded to a bogus argument.
But then again you seem to like paying more for less.

 

[Bytor65]

I've seen exactly 1 android phone being used "in the flesh". I don't know who is buying all of these. Everyone I see has an iPhone, or some random other phone, but not android. They must be around though, as these numbers aren't made-up...

I wonder for different reasons. Me and all my close friends work in High tech (I used to work coding for CDMA networking switches).

But none of us have a smartphone. They just seem like a huge waste of money.

I usually see them in the hands of teenagers.

 

[Rodimus Prime]

Fact: if you can build it, you can break it.
Fact: mobile computing is the new frontier for malware.
Fact: the dominant mobile platform will attract the malware creators.
Fact: Android's "open" marketplace philosophy does it no favors in regards to security.

I love how if people try the other direction on OSX and pointed out security there being am minority you all get really defenses but now that is your alls argument.

Well based on that then you are admitting that one of OSX biggest reason it is secure is because it has such limited market share. Sorry it annoys me that this is the current argument that I read and apple fans will flip flop only when it suits there purpose.

 

[AZREOSpecialist]

WTF...
It would be SKEWED if they DID include the iPod & iPad iOS data.
When they start selling media players with Android on then, then MAYBE you'll have a point. Till then, that comment will just remain another retarded apples to oranges attempt to save face.
Besides, Android's PRIMARY use currently IS smartphones, which is what they are comparing.

If you or anyone else (even Gartner) is going to make a statement like "Android vs iOS", then you are comparing the market share of one OS to another. When you are comparing operating systems, you look at all devices running the operating system to determine total market share. On the one hand Gartner says these numbers are for smartphones only, yet all the news headlines claim that Android is outselling iOS without qualifying that sensationalist statement by saying "oh, it's just for smartphones".

THAT is my issue. If this is OS vs OS, then we look at all devices. If this is smartphone vs smartphone, then we look at the smartphone manufacturers. Android smartphones are outselling iOS smartphones this last quarter, but that only tells half the story. Few of these articles point out that we are only looking at smartphone sales.

 

[gloomcookie1]

I also have read that is it easier to make it big in Android than iOS. Reason for it is there are fewer fish in the pond. on iOS you need to have a lucky break to get any were.

Doodle jump got is break not from being a good app (which it is) but they struggled until they got incontact with some one at Apple who made it a feature app. It was not until it was made a feature app did people learn about it and then it took off because it was a good app.

It is easier to get that break on Android, Blackberry, and Palm than iOS.

I find that pretty hard to believe...everyone and their dog tech blog have apps of the week first on the iPhone platform and just recently some have started to include Android. So if you're not making it big it not just becuase you don't have a booty buddy in Apple - it's probably becuase your app isn't that good.

And funny how you use obsucrity as a plus in your arguement. I guess in the same sense you'd make it big developing for OS X becuase there's just so many Windows machines out there.

 

[macsmurf]

Fact: if you can build it, you can break it.
Fact: mobile computing is the new frontier for malware.
Fact: the dominant mobile platform will attract the malware creators.
Fact: Android's "open" marketplace philosophy does it no favors in regards to security.

Fact: You're cherry picking facts to support your own bias.

 

[Rodimus Prime]

I find that pretty hard to believe...everyone and their dog tech blog have apps of the week first on the iPhone platform and just recently some have started to include Android. So if you're not making it big it not just becuase you don't have a booty buddy in Apple - it's probably becuase your app isn't that good.

And funny how you use obsucrity as a plus in your arguement. I guess in the same sense you'd make it big developing for OS X becuase there's just so many Windows machines out there.

I pointed out Doodle jump which we all know is a great app.

It just could not seem to get off the ground until oh look apple made it a featured app. Then it took off. It took off that it was a great app but they needed a lucky break for people to find out about it.

 

[LagunaSol]

So it is ok for your side to make arguments that apple gets more profit per phone than an Android phone but it is "bogus" for me to point out that you are having to pay more for less.

Your argument is bogus because Apple isn't more profitable than the others because the consumer is paying more out-of-pocket. Apple is more profitable because it has a single device that's in high demand, commands high kickbacks from the carrier, and they don't have to design and manufacture a new device every 2 months only to be usurped by a competitor two weeks later.

The fact hardware manufacturing for Android is going to end up a cutthroat business for the hardware makers (just like the PC business) is hardly Apple's fault.

Does not seem right. Either go after people making the same bogus argument the other direction. I only responded to a bogus argument.
But then again you seem to like paying more for less.

No, you responded to an argument you didn't really understand with a bogus argument of your own.

I'll take a $199 stainless steel and glass iPhone 4 with a Retina display over any $199 plastic Android device on the market as far as "getting what you pay for" is concerned.

 

[Žalgiris]

Because it makes people think about it. They reliese they are paying more for less specs.

People pay for experience. Smartphone market - geeks = don't care about specs, juts want my phone to work. And if you look at iPhone 4 it's up to or better than any Android phone in the market including experience.

In other words you fail.

 

[LagunaSol]

Fact: You're cherry picking facts to support your own bias.

Please feel free to refute any of the facts I presented (which truly are the relevant facts regarding the issue being discussed).

 

[Žalgiris]

Fact: You're cherry picking facts to support your own bias.

What about downplaying to support bias of different kind?

 

[alhedges]

Fine with me. I'd rather not have something that everyone else has. Mac, iPhone, '74 VW Karrmann Ghia convertible, custom furniture, Cutco knives..

Android can have their market share for all I care.

Cutco knives? Cutco knives!??

Cheap, stamped steel serrated knives sold at a premium price that no professional would let near his kitchen? Sorry, but they have nothing in common with the other items on your list.

Wüsthof knives ftw!

 

[Reed Rothchild]

Could we please drop this ridiculous argument already? The consumer pays the same amount for an Android phone or an iPhone. Typically $199.

The lame "Apple's overpriced hardware" chestnut doesn't work in the mobile space. Deal with it.

That's true enough. Also, unlocked top of the range Android phones cost about the same as a similar iPhone. I guess the question that needs to be asked is why are consumers jumping on the Android bandwagon when they could get an iPhone for similar or less. Maybe the halo effect is finally starting to wear off the iPhone. When you can get an overall better device and user experience for the same price or less, why even contemplate anything else?

 

[Žalgiris]

That's true enough. Also, unlocked top of the range Android phones cost about the same as a similar iPhone. I guess the question that needs to be asked is why are consumers jumping on the Android bandwagon when they could get an iPhone for similar or less. Maybe the halo effect is finally starting to wear off the iPhone. When you can get an overall better device and user experience for the same price or less, why even contemplate anything else?

You are speaking about US right?

 

[LagunaSol]

I guess the question that needs to be asked is why are consumers jumping on the Android bandwagon when they could get an iPhone for similar or less.

Carrier availability, pure and simple. Get the iPhone on Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile and watch Android's numbers fall. Guaranteed.

 

[parapup]

Please feel free to refute any of the facts I presented (which truly are the relevant facts regarding the issue being discussed).

Let's see -

Originally Posted by LagunaSol
Fact: if you can build it, you can break it.

Please explain what you mean by this.

Fact: mobile computing is the new frontier for malware.
Rebuttal - So what?

Fact: the dominant mobile platform will attract the malware creators.

Rebuttal - So what? Hasn't stopped Microsoft from retaining market share by a gaping wide margin. Just don't do stupid things and there won't be any malware on your computer - same for phones. Solution is not to pick obscurity and have a false sense of security - instead you educate users, enforce good policies in the OS (Android already does) and for the rare cases put up an AV solution.


Fact: Android's "open" marketplace philosophy does it no favors in regards to security.

Rebuttal - Neither does Apple's closed marketplace do it any favors. People can put up an application in the App Store which looks innocuous but acts maliciously and Apple wouldn't know squat - they don't have the sources to the App, smart hackers can make it impossible to reverse engineer and Apple is not going to spend the ginormous efforts to verify each app with close scrutiny.

 

[LagunaSol]

Let's see -

Originally Posted by LagunaSol
Fact: if you can build it, you can break it.

Please explain what you mean by this.

Software is programmed by human beings. Human beings can break into software programmed by other human beings. It doesn't matter what that software is.

Fact: mobile computing is the new frontier for malware.
Rebuttal - So what?

That's not a rebuttal.

Fact: the dominant mobile platform will attract the malware creators.

Rebuttal - So what? Hasn't stopped Microsoft from retaining market share by a gaping wide margin. Just don't do stupid things and there won't be any malware on your computer - same for phones. Solution is not to pick obscurity and have a false sense of security - instead you educate users, enforce good policies in the OS (Android already does) and for the rare cases put up an AV solution.

Again, "so what" isn't a rebuttal. Nor is blaming user idiocy for platform security problems.

And I'll bet an AV solution for the majority mobile OS is not going to be a "rare case" in the times ahead.

Fact: Android's "open" marketplace philosophy does it no favors in regards to security.

Rebuttal - Neither does Apple's closed marketplace do it any favors. People can put up an application in the App Store which looks innocuous but acts maliciously and Apple wouldn't know squat - they don't have the sources to the App, smart hackers can make it impossible to reverse engineer and Apple is not going to spend the ginormous efforts to verify each app with close scrutiny.

I think time will prove you wrong regarding Android's approach to app distribution vs. Apple's.

 

[nixiemaiden]

But if I pick Android, does it sync contacts, iCal etc with my Mac in the way my iPhone does? Or is it an annoying, fiddly process?

Android phones will sync all of this stuff with your google/gmail account and I also have it syncing with my exchange server at work. None of it was annoying or fiddly...I just entered in my information and it just syncs to my account.
-------
On another note...I personally use an android smart phone and I absolutely love it. I also use an iPad and I love it. I've also said this time and time again but one of my favorite things about Android's marketplace is the ability to uninstall an app within 24 hours and get refunded for it.

If I want an iOS app, I end up spending hours researching it to see if I think it will meet my needs, then I pay for it, download it, play around with it for a few hours only to find out it is missing some features that I really wanted that another app might have.

I really don't understand why there is so much hate in either direction. They are both great products and what I am hoping is that with all of the things that Android is offering, Apple will lift some of their restrictions and it will be better for everyone involved.

 

[Reed Rothchild]

Carrier availability, pure and simple. Get the iPhone on Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile and watch Android's numbers fall. Guaranteed.

Hmm, not sure sure... It would be interesting to see the split between iPhone and Android smartphone usage in the UK, or the many other regions that already have the iPhone available on multiple carriers. Certainly in the US being locked to AT&T can't have helped Apple in total volume, but I'm not sure if the availability of the iPhone on multiple US carriers will be sufficient to halt the shift. The Gartner report is for worldwide sales. Sure the US is a huge iPhone market, but the rest of the world is a much much bigger market and Android is gaining marketshare everywhere.