Google recently reported that over 700,000 people sign up for a new Android device daily. This means there are approximately five million new Android users every week. Andy Rubin, Google’s Senior Vice President of Mobile, explained that the figure only applies to new devices, not resold ones. In the past, Apple has criticized Google’s numbers saying that Google counted upgrades. While Google did not clearly state how it categorizes upgrades, Rubin said Google only counts a device once.
Analysis of the Numbers
There are different takes on the latest report. For some, the numbers seem too high or that the figure must include upgrades. In June 2011, Google reported 500,000 activations per day. Based on that, Google’s latest activation figures seem accurate because Google shares the same smartphone platform across multiple devices. To date, researchers say Google captures about 42 percent of the U.S. market share, while the iPhone captures approximately 27.1 percent.
Concluding Thoughts
Android loyalists have some good reasons to believe that Android will dominate the market. The openness of the Android market and the ability to buy cheaper smartphones has a mass appeal. At the same time, Apple’s numbers are by no means shabby. Apple has loyal customers and they will buy products because of the brand. People also need to keep in mind that Apple controls what apps it decides to offer in its App Store – Google does not.
I wonder if the numbers make that much of a difference. Those who like Android phones will likely continue to buy them; they may just change smartphone manufacturers. I have to admit that Apple’s numbers still seem impressive. Its market share belongs solely to Apple. In the end, I am left wondering, Do we really have an Android versus Apple war?
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