by Bruce Tyson

Created on: May 01, 2010   Last Updated: May 03, 2010

Nexus One, the Android-powered smartphone bearing the Google brand excited the mobile phone market earlier this year, but has since fallen flat, amounting to what some would call a flop. This disappointing product has marred what has otherwise proven to be a very successful product, the Android mobile operating system.

Soaring Sales Nip at iPhone and RIM

Phones equipped with the Google-backed Android operating system have seen remarkable success in the marketplace. Although the Blackberry by RIM still commands over 40% of the market, RIM has taken a beating on the stock market after its quarterly earnings report disappointed investors. While RIM continues to have strong growth in users of its platform, it is feeling the heat from iPhone, Android, and the soon to be released Microsoft Phone 7 Series operating systems.

RIM is not alone in feeling pressure from Android. Working to preserve its share of the market, Apple made the decision to add its iPhone to the Verizon wireless network, scratching its exclusive relationship with AT&T. Android is coming, and Apple has to be prepared for it, especially after it saw a market share decline of .1% in recent months.

Although Android’s market share is just 9%, the latest numbers show that it is the platform with the highest rate of growth, 5%, with indications that it continues to build momentum. Android’s growth is fuelled by a steady influx of devices into the market that are compatible with the new OS.

Android Devices

Sales of Android-powered devices continue to skyrocket, confirmed by the latest quarterly data. As of the last period, 60,000 Android devices are being sold daily, a number falling short of Apple’s nearly 100,000 daily sales of the iPhone, but still an impressive number that continues to grow.

Android Apps

Android users have the ability to purchase apps from the Android Marketplace in ways similar to the way iPhone users buy apps from the Apple store. Apple’s store boasts nearly a quarter million titles, offering incredible options to iPhone users. That same flexibility is necessary for Android to be successful, and – so far – it has encouraging numbersr. 81% of mobile application writers are interested in building Android apps. In fact, over 50,000 apps are already available for Android, a strong showing for such a new product.

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