Android Taking Over iPhone Big Time

For the first time ever, sales of Android handsets have outpaced those of the Apple iPhone.

According to Nielsen (via GigaOm), Google Android phones now account for 27 percent of U.S. smartphone sales among new phone buyers, eclipsing the 23 percent share held by the iPhone.

The numbers cover a rolling six-month period and are reported quarterly. Based on the chart embedded in the linked story, Android popularity has skyrocketed, from a mere 6 percent share in the fourth quarter of 2009 (when it was half of even Windows Mobile’s pathetic market share) to 27 percent today. The iPhone slipped from 34 percent in that quarter to 23 percent.

That said, the top spot remains — as it has been for over a year — occupied by RIM, which holds a 33 percent share of cell phone buys.

As GigaOm notes, the phenomenal rise of Android — up 886 percent worldwide since a year ago — is a rare occurrence in the tech business, since the Android platform is now two years old and reaching a maturity level that should actually indicate a period of slowing growth. The site suggests, however, that compared with competitors like the iPhone and BlackBerry operating systems, Android is still just a baby.

What’s the outlook for this space? RIM has been slipping for months (it held a 45 percent share in the second quarter of 2009), and Apple could always get a second wind. Will RIM’s new version 6 operating system reverse its slide? Will Android — which suffers from more than its fair share of dissatisfied users — keep surging? Will those free iPhone Bumper cases increase its numbers?

I for one, am very satisfied with my Blackberry Bold, iPhone 4 and Droid X. Who needs more when

How I Got My New Iphone 3G 16 GB

Under intense pressure from the New York tech world, I finally decided to give the iPhone a try.

I needed a phone with internet, microsoft exchange server support and for usage as a normal telecommunication device.

Now, as they say, the phone is useless without a good network. AT&T is ok as a network, although I have always preferred Sprint/Nextel because of the Nextel Direct Connect feature.

I had two options in front of me: either I buy an unlocked iPhone and use it with my Sprint account - cost of the unlocked phone is $750 plus $99(+tax) for my unlimited Sprint data plan; or I pay $299 for the AT&T locked iPhone and get tied for two years with a $129(+tax) unlimited calling plan.

I still wanted to go with the unlocked Iphone. However, I realized that it was pointless. Considering the Iphone is a 3G Phone; the best 3G newtork is, whether I like it or not, AT&T. I drove past an AT&T shop, told the manager I was there to buy the iPhone. This is what the conversation looked like:

Me: I want and iPhone for business use.

Manager: Well Sir, You have come to the right place. The iPhone is the best phone for business out there.

Me: (Sensing that this was a marketing ploy, because they had a window ad about the Blackberry Bold saying that it was the best business phone on the market, I decided to bargain.) Well, I don't really need the iPhone, I am already a customer of Sprint and I already was planning on getting the Sprint BlackBerry Curve 8330.

Manager: Well, I must tell you that the iPhone has over 20,000 applications that you can download, and quite honestly, I use it myself, and there is no comparison to any other phone I have had before. The Blackberry doesn't even come close to the iPhone in terms of phone usage and entertainment.

Me: Well, I beg to differ. I think I am quite knowledgeable in this field to tell you that you are half wrong and half inaccurate. In any case, I was just driving by with the intention of buying the iPhone. But I just changed my mind, I will probably wait for the new Samsung MBP200 to get to the US market. (Yes, this is how I bargain... I came to buy, but I never let him know that I can be taken for granted!)

Manager: I am so sorry to hear that you have changed your mind Sir. As the manager, I can offer you this deal: you buy the phone today and I will waive the $36 activation fee and give you a car charger, bluetooth headset, leather case (total value of $80 for the three accessories) for free.

Me: Deal! Here's my driver's license, my social security and my plastic. Unlimited everything plan for me. I don't want to be bothered counting my minutes!

Manager: Ok please hold on while I run your credit check.

Me: I have 5 minutes, I need to run to a meeting.

Manager: Ok Sir, your results came back. You do not need to pay a deposit - your credit is fine.

Me: Four minutes is all I have now - otherwise I walk out of here and come back later this week.

Manager: (Two minutes later) Here is your phone Sir, already activated, and here are your accessories.

Me: Thank you, great experience shopping at your AT&T dealership. I'm glad you set me up running in 4 minutes and thanks once again for the freebies.

Ok, so this is the story on how quick I 'meteorized' my way around to get an iPhone. I know that I got a good deal, although I know AT&T will be making money with the hefty $129+ monthly fee that they'll be collecting from me.

I will probably be posting more about the iPhone itself once I start using it for real, right now I'm just hooked to watching youtube on it... and someone was talking about using the iPhone for work??