The ever changing mobile landscape

Mobile phone operating system sales data released by IDC for Q3 of 2013 highlights that Android continues to dominate world wide. According to an article on CNET’s website which reported the IDC findings the Android platform enjoyed an 81 percent market share that quarter in terms of shipments of new phones and their operating system (OS).

A table was also presented which showed that compared to the previous year Android’s market share increased while iOS and Blackberry saw a decline. The Windows Phone platform also registered an increase, but along with Blackberry its market share at less than 5% remains small.

According to an IDC report,  for Q3 of 2013 the Android OS had an 81 percent world wide market share

The article noted that while the iPhone does really well in the United States its market share is not as strong in some markets throughout the world (with a total world wide market share of 12.9%). As a new iPhone user myself, I was initially hesitant to make the switch from Android. I can now say that initial concern has been replaced by extreme joy. In no way I am saying the iPhone or iOS platform is perfect but it does what I wanted most, to easily synch with my computer and provides me with pretty good battery life. I do miss the open source nature of Android, the graphical user interface, the bigger screens and flash compatibility but for now at least, I appreciate the longer lasting battery life of my iPhone. 

For consumers, competition among the mobile phone ecosystems is a good thing and drives innovation and new product development. The industry has definitely seen many changes since the early days of monochrome one-line screens. Back then a mobile phone was just that a phone. Now it’s a phone, an mp3 player, a flashlight, portable video screen, portable gaming console, address book, map, GPS and the list goes on and on. The mobile phone has become such an important part of life for many people (myself included) that if you leave home without it, your inclined to turn back for your phone, that is once your not too far away.

Speaking about older phones, I watched a cute video the other day on YouTube which showed kids reaction to rotary phones which brought back lots of memories. I never used a rotary phone at home but as a kid I did have the opportunity to use one on several occasions. I can remember how it felt when you mis-dialed the number and had to dial again, oh how long it seemed just to make one call.  It’s not surprising that the kids in the video preferred the modern mobile phone but its always good to reflect and see the technological advancements that have been made. So much has changed and so much more will change during the next few months and years and I look forward to see what new technological and innovation changes will be made in the mobile phone industry.