Android v iPhone

eMarketer predicts that sales of smartphones powered by Google’s Android will overtake Apple iPhones within two years.

The open-source nature of the Android operating system is expected to drive sales.

eMarketer forecasts that Android’s US market share will hit 31% in 2012, while Apple holds steady at 30% and RIM (for Blackberry) claims 23%.

In 2010, Android’s US market share increased to 24% – up from 6% in 2009, according to data from eMarketer, Nielsen and comScore.

“The open-source Android OS requires no licensing fee and allows handset manufacturers and wireless carriers considerable latitude to customise the user interface according to their desired specifications,” said Noah Elkin, an eMarketer analyst.

“With a growing roster of manufacturer and carrier partners in every major market and market segment, scale for Android is coming quickly in terms of device, market share, apps and ad revenues.”

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