Today in the technology news section on ABC the International Data Corporation (IDC) reported figures for worldwide smartphone unit sales and market shares in the 2nd quarter of 2012. The IDC is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications and consumer technology markets. They gathered the information based on operating systems in the smartphones purchased during this time compared to last year. As you can see in the numbers below Android is still increasing thier unit sales and market shares while Apple seems to have decreased in the last year. Blackberry is still hanging in there at number three and Windows at number five based on their current units sold and percentages of market shares. See the breakdown below.
#1 Android (Google Inc.) — 104.8 million units, 68.1 percent share (46.9 percent a year earlier)
#2 iOS (Apple Inc.’s iPhone) — 26.0 million units, 16.9 percent share (18.8 percent a year earlier)
#3 BlackBerry (Research in Motion Ltd.) — 7.4 million units, 4.8 percent share (11.5 percent a year earlier)
#4 Symbian (mostly used by Nokia Corp.) — 6.8 million units, 4.4 percent share (16.9 percent a year earlier)
#5 Windows (Microsoft Corp.) — 5.4 million units, 3.5 percent share (2.3 percent a year earlier)
#6 Linux — 3.5 million units, 2.3 percent share (3.0 percent a year earlier)
#7+ Others — 0.1 million units, 0.1 percent share (0.5 percent a year earlier)
The figures are a great reminder not only of the most popular devices but they let us keep up with what operating system is being used the most or the least. These are all important factors when it comes to knowing where the current operating systems stand as well as the development of newer technology. The figures show the developers of each operating system and device that they are either doing great, good or have more hard work to do. They can do the math! For you and I this means that we get to, as we always have, learn more with each new device and operating system while having fun at the same time. Surely these numbers come as no surprise to you, right? Let us know what you think!