According to mobile market share numbers released by comScore today Google’s Android OS is now on half the smartphones in the US market. That marks a 3 percent gain from Q4 of 2011. Apple was also up to just over 30 percent. However, all other players and operating systems were down — RIM in particular.
The survey findings also reflect 104 million people own smartphones in the US, which translates into 44 percent penetration. That’s substantially lower than the 50 percent and 53 percent figures issued recently by Nielsen and the Pew Internet Project, respectively.
Nielsen’s Android and iOS share figures are also similar but not identical to those of comScore. Nielsen indicates that among recent purchasers the iPhone is catching up to Android. These findings appear to be confirmed by financial analysts who report that the iPhone is the top-selling device at the three US major carriers where it’s offered.
ComScore also reported that roughly equal numbers of Americans used mobile apps and the mobile browser in February.
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