Android to dominate smartphones by 2014

Google’s Android platform will challenge Nokia’s Symbian software to become the most dominant operating system on smartphones by 2014, according to analyst firm Gartner.

Android’s global market share in the handset market will rise from 4% in 2009 to just shy of 30% over the next four years, Gartner predicts, while the Symbian platform will see its share of the market fall from 40% in 2010 to slightly over 30% in 2014.

In recent months, the Finnish manufacturer has been criticised for failing to react with sufficient speed to challenges in the smartphone market from Android and Apple’s iPhone. In September 2010, it appointed Stephen Elop, former head of Microsoft’s business division, as its CEO.

“We believe that market share in the OS space will consolidate around a few key OS providers that have the most support from communication service providers and developers and strong brand awareness with consumer and enterprise customers,” commented Gartner analyst Roberta Cozza.

Peter Done

Peter Done is managing director of Peninsula Business Services, the personnel and employment law consultancy he set up having already built a successful betting shop business.

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