Android is the preferred operating system among current smartphone owners and those who intend to buy a new smartphone in the next six months, according to the Connected Intelligence service from The NPD Group. Not only is Android generating more interest than any other OS (63%) but it’s also the platform consumers are ‘most interested in’. In fact, at least half of all smartphone purchases for the past three quarters have been Android devices.
However, this dominance isn’t guaranteed, according to Connected Intelligence. It says 44% of smartphone owners and planned purchasers are considering Windows Phone 7 for their next purchase.
Linda Barrabee, research director for Connected Intelligence, said “The Android juggernaut continues, and that’s not great news for some of their OS competitors. For example, one-third of BlackBerry smartphone owners are most interested in Android for their next smartphone purchase. That said, Android is also experiencing continued competition from Apple’s popular iPhone, as well as some nascent competition from Windows Phone 7. Windows Phone 7 has a way to go before consumers really understand what it is. But with the right marketing mojo, apps portfolio, and feature-rich hardware, Microsoft could certainly improve its standing and chip away at Android’s dominant market position.”