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1.2.2011 Android to overtake iPhone

Sales of Android-powered phones could overtake those of Apple within two years, eMarketer has claimed. In a new report, the researchers hailed the open-source nature of the Android OS as key factor in driving the system's popularity. New eMarketer forecasts contained in the report suggest that Android's US market share will hit 31% in 2012, ahead of Apple on 30% and RIM on 23%.

eMarketer also gathered sales estimates from its own research, as well as that of firms including Nielsen and comScore, showing that Android phones' US market share grew from 6% in 2009 to roughly 24% in 2010. Noah Elkin, eMarketer principal analyst, said: "The open-source Android OS requires no licensing fee and allows handset manufacturers and wireless carriers considerable latitude to customize the user interface according to their desired specifications." He added: "With a growing roster of manufacturer and carrier partners in every major market and market segment, scale for Android is coming quickly in terms of device, market share, apps and ad revenues." Marketing will also be crucial to the health of the mobile market as a whole, the report added.

B.L. 1.2.2011