iPhone OS and Android Dominate Smartphone OS Platforms in US Market

Something to consider for every person who is going to buy a phone.  There are four real smartphone platforms that are worth even considering.  Sorry, Windows Mobile, but you aren’t one of them.

In the fourth quarter of 2009, a developer could reach 75% of the worldwide smartphones sold in that quarter by supporting just three platforms, Nokia/Symbian, RIM OS and Apple iPhone OS, according to figures from research firm Strategy Analytics.   In the fourth quarter of 2008, you would only hit around 2/3 of all smartphones.    The pie is growing, as well.  More and more people are renewing their cellphone cycles and they are re-upping with a bad ass touch screen of some kind.

Most typical cell phone contracts are 24 months in length.  So take Strategy Analytics stats into consideration.  They stated that 174 million smartphones were sold in 2009, compared with 151 million smartphones sold in 2008.  Thus, there are approximately 325 million smartphones out there.

Three Major Smartphone Platforms or Four Major Smartphone Platforms?

If you were a devhaus building apps, if you are thinking of ONLY doing those three OS’s, I’d call you Stupid.  If you are ignore Google Android apps, then you are missing the boat.  So there is four major platforms to consider, right now.

Enter stage left: Android. In August of 2009, Google Android surged past RIM to stand at #2 in the US market.

Windows Mobile and webOS, well, you may want to start looking for cemetery plots.

Microsoft better hope the ZunePhone doesn’t suck as much as a Zune.  Who I am kidding, I don’t believe I know anyone that has purchased a Zune.   Wait, I think one of my friends has one, but he won it at a tech conference.  So yeah, Windows 7 Mobile, or whatever this rumor going around is, better hope to bring the thunder.  If not, uh buh-bye.

RIM should continue to be okay with Corporate America.  All of the businesses like their sales folk and keep executive yahoos all on the same RIM network.  Ok.  Have fun with that RIM.  Over time you will fade into oblivion over the course of the next 5-10 years.   Hate to be the one to break it to you.

As the smartphone market matures and developers gain greater economies of scale, supporting four key platforms is going to be an easy, more manageable process for app development.

The web mark-up language HTML5 is another thing to consider.  If it becomes a standard, it could minimize the stranglehold that Apple clinches on the apps market.  With 3-4 major mobile platforms jockeying for position, having HTML5 could make the process a little smoother for developers.

There Will be But Two.

In my humble opinion, in the end, Nokia and RIM will become insignificant while Apple and Google battle… Obviously, Nokia currently has control of the global mobile market.  I think Apple will continue winning until Steve’s health forces him to retire. The Google boys will be rocking for the next 10-20 years or beyond   Who knows?  By the way, the day that is announced, you may wanna consider shorting AAPL. [Travis Wright is not a financial advisor, he is a bullshittapotomus, do not listen to his stock advice.]

Google Android vs. Apple iPhoneOS

Should be interesting to watch develop of the next few months and years.