Posted on February 10, 2011 // 2 Comments

SIDENOTE:::>

Quick thoughts about tech without the filler.

 

   

Unless you have been living under a rock (a big one) for the last several years, you’ve probably heard of something called Android and iOS. These are the powerhouse operating systems that give life to those popular smart phones some of us cannot live or breathe without (you know who you are).     

Recently, we’ve seen many market-share comparisons between the “big dog” Reasearch In Motion (RIM) , Google, and Apple. The point of this article isn’t to go over the latest features or cite comparisons. Rather, I wanted to focus on one question, and one question only: Is it fair to compare all three companies using a flat market share analysis without taking into account providers, manufacturers, and availability?     

ComScore just released a data sheet regarding the share market value amongst the top smart phone companies. Included here are the ones mentioned above plus a few others. I’m only going to focus on the three mentioned already. Have a quick peak at the chart:     

Credit: ComScore 2011

So, what do you notice? Obviously, RIM takes the cake with almost a 40% market share while Google and Apple fall almost half shares each behind. We know RIM has been in the business for a while now with their enterprise-friendly Blackberries. So, it makes sense. Although, RIM’s share has been taking a dip with more and more competitors coming to the scene. Fast forwarding a few months ahead (look at December’s numbers), it looks like RIM’s shares have been eaten by Google and Apple with them, both, gaining ahead. Some can argue that Google’s Android has been around for a shorter amount of time, but it has gained an incredible strangle hold with 7% over RIM’s almost negative 6% – That’s a big deal in its self. It shows the ever rising popularity of Google’s OS. More importantly, it demonstrates competition and choice, which are, both, great for the consumer (you and I). I am not here to bash one vendor over another or put one up high on the stool. Rather, that simple question still remains: is this a fair and accurate comparison?     

Is that really the big picture? Is it really the whole picture? Zoom out for a bit. Forget the chart, and let’s go over some basics. RIM and Google, both, have an advantage over Apple’s iPhone. For example, RIM whores its products to, basically, any and every carrier – And, it should. After all, the more carriers the more units sold; hence, that translates to more mucho dinero. Google’s Android is, also, available on multiple carriers (Almost every carrier, too). But, Google goes one step further; it’s not in the hardware business. Yep, Google provides access to its operating system to many hardware guys like Motorola and HTC. Let’s call that one point RIM for diversifying to multiple carriers, and let’s give two points to Google with, additionally, allowing hardware vendors to use its software.  Again, these are, both, arguably marketing advantages over Apple’s choice to stick with one carrier while creating, both, the hardware and software to be strictly sold on their terms. (Side note: Apple has recently spurred out to Verizon.)     

With all that in mind, it is no doubt that Google and RIM are going head-to-head with Apple nudging up and away, too. Now, have a look at those top three bad boys, again. With that being said, Apple isn’t doing too shady of a job. Keep in mind, all of the iOS devices like the iPad or iPod Touch are not included in that share; the chart focuses on the smart-phone part only. So, the real question would be, “how much more market share would Apple control if it had those two points up like Google. The answer is that we don’t really know. And, there are many factors at play here. For example, Apple devices perform very well and the overall experience is the same across all of its iOS devices because, according to many, Apple controls and builds the devices.   

Here’s another statistic that is nothing to sneeze about: 44% of Verizon customers will likely switch to the iPhone. And, an astounding 66% of Blackberry users are willing to switch to the iPhone come the February 10th official launch date for non-current Verizon Customers. (Source: uSamp, 2011)     

The future will tell everything. As I’ve mentioned before, Apple has blessed Verizon with its iPhone. We shall see what we shall see. See you in the future folks.

Category : Sidenote