It seems that the Microsoft-developed mobile operating system is getting some reprieve as gains fans among European countries. Meanwhile, Android and iOS are still ahead in the mobile platform race, especially in the US.
For the first time, Microsoft is seeing some positive movement in the market share for its Windows Phone smartphone platform, particularly in the UK and France, where it has reached 12.0 and 10.8 percent respectively. This is largely from sales of Nokia’s Lumia devices that bear the OS. However, those figures were not enough to push the average to double digits, settling at 9.2 percent across the UK, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain.
Android and iOS, however, still dominate the smartphone market not just in the US but even in Europe. In the three-month period ending in August this year, Android has managed to hold 55.1 percent of the sales in the US and 70.1 percent in Europe. Apple’s iOS isn’t doing that bad either, with 16.1 percent in Europe and a larger 39.3 percent share in its US home court. In terms of device manufacturers, Samsung still leads the European race even compared to last year’s figures, ending up with 47.1 percent versus 49.0 percent from the same period in 2012.
It will be interesting to observe the market trends in the coming months due to some business moves and partnerships that have taken place recently. For one, Microsoft will be taking over the reigns of Nokia’s mobile business, giving it the muscle to fully push forward the destiny of the Windows Phone OS. Apple has also recently taken very big steps in courting the Chinese market which, at least for now, is still dominated by Android devices.
VIA: SlashGear
Judging from the numbers, it’s probably old Nokia users now switching to Nokia phones with Windows on them, at least in Germany and France