Android To See 900 Per Cent Growth In 2009

Android is expanding from a low base and is consequently outgrowing the iPhone OS from Apple.
Global Android smartphone shipments will grow 900 per cent in 2009, according to the latest research from Strategy Analytics. Healthy support from operators, vendors and developers is driving adoption. Apple iPhone OS will be the next fastest-growing smartphone operating system in 2009, with a 79 per cent growth rate.
Android is a software platform for mobile devices, powered by the Linux kernel, initially developed by Google and later the Open Handset Alliance -- a multinational alliance of technology and mobile industry leaders. It includes 48 hardware, software and telecom companies devoted to advancing open standards for mobile devices.

The HTC Dream (also marketed as T-Mobile G1, Era G1 in Poland) was the first phone to the market that uses the Android platform. T-Mobile is now looking to launch multiple Android-based devices in the second half of this year with three partners.

Tom Kang, senior analyst, Strategy Analytics, said, "We forecast global Android smartphone shipments to grow an impressive 900 per cent annually during 2009. The Android mobile operating system from Google gained early traction in the United States in the second half of 2008, and it is gradually spreading its presence into Europe and Asia during 2009. Android is expanding from a low base, and it is consequently outgrowing the iPhone OS from Apple, which we estimate will grow at a relatively lower 79 per cent annually in 2009."

Added Neil Mawston, director, Strategy Analytics, "Android has fast been winning healthy support amongst operators, vendors and developers. A relatively low-cost licencing model, its semi-open-source structure and Google's support for cloud services have encouraged companies such as HTC, Motorola, Samsung, T Mobile, Vodafone and others to support the Android operating system. Android is now in a good position to become a top-tier player in smartphones over the next two to three years."

Samsung Electronics recently unveiled the I7500 -- its first Android-powered mobile phone. Motorola is also working on hardware products that would run Android. Sony Ericsson is planning to release an Android based handset in the summer of 2009. Acer is rumored to be releasing phones called the L1, C1, E1, F1 and A1 (unconfirmed) late in 2009.