Google's Android mobile OS is showing slow growth in Western Europe since its launch, according to analysts.
Noted analyst firm IDC has stated that while Android's market share has grown in this region, from 4.2 per cent to 5.4 per cent in the July- September period, consumers are still shying away.
"Consumers steer clear of Google's OS and sell-out is below everyone's expectations. Consumers recognize the Google brand, but still do not understand what Android is," IDC analyst Francisco Jeronimo.
Lack of awareness
"The lack of devices available didn't help to raise awareness, though this is expected to change, with more handsets from LG, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, Motorola, and other vendors hitting the market soon."
It's worth noting that Android is still pretty nascent compared to other operating systems - it's barely a year from release, and in relative terms, a 1.2 percentage point increase in three months can be interpreted in a number of ways.
However, the number of 'headline' handsets has been minimal, with the Hero the main phone consumers will be familiar with. Android is still also early in the development stage, meaning elements consumers take for granted in other phones, such as full Bluetooth support, aren't added until later in the development cycle.
Symbian - the operating system used for years by Nokia in its smartphones and more recently in Samsung and Sony Ericsson models - has 48 per cent of the market in Western Europe, but many predict this to decline as other competitors raise their game.
Windows Mobile is still the mainstay of the business market too, and although the iPhone and Android handsets are growing, it will take a larger range of more compelling devices to properly take on the established players and move Android from 'Geek Chic' to a genuine contender.
Via Reuters
Your comments (3) Click to add a new comment
justa_notherguy
December 7th 2009
3. Consumers avoid Android Consumers 'shying away' from Android? The platform is 'showing slow growth'? Evocative, if vague & unsubstantiated, sentiments. But did you even bother to read the one, meager statistic provided as evidence of these claims?
The report says Android's share of the Western Europe smartphone market grew from 4.2% to 5.4%, during 3Q09, alone. Maybe your math skills are slipping, but that's 28% growth...in three short months. And, by a quck & dirty calculation, that's over 100%, annually.
So, from this we deduce slow adoption? You must be joking. If 28% growth, quarter over quarter, were shown for any mobile platform other than Android, then I bet your headline would be diametrically different. 'Window Mobile Shows Sharp Uptick in Europe'. 'Maemo Adoption Spikes'.
Please, guys - when posting wire-service filler, try to avoid parroting the source's bias. If you intend to abandon all thoughts of journalistic integrity for the sake of spreading FUD, then at least do us the favor of providing unique FUD, rather than somebody else's.
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simonaf
December 7th 2009
2. Ordered a T-Mobile Pulse off their own website Thursday and got an email Friday saying
"Due to phenomonal demand [...], it may take up to 5 working days to fulfill your order."
Hmm!
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lewchenko
December 7th 2009
1. In the UK atleast there arent that many Android phones. The HTC Hero is probably the best one, but the carriers (orange etc) are lazy.. it ships with an out of date firmware package that leaves a lot to be desired. The only one here with a physical keyboard is now quite old compared to the US and their Motorola Droid.
The phone is much better once the firmware is upgraded, but the phone still lacks even basic features like full bluetooth support and a decent video recorder built in.
In 2009, people expect stuff like that to simply work.. not be hobbled with problems. Faced with issues like that is it any wonder why companies like Samsung are selling like crazy.
And then there is the app store (Market place)... most people access it via their 1.5 OS Android which means limited functionality compared to say Apple's offering...
And is there any official support to put OS 2.0 or 2.1 on our HTC Heros ? Nope.
Doesnt suprise me that Android isnt doing so well when you think about all the problems it has.
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