Google's Android passes Apple among new service users

Google Inc.'s Android software outsold Apple Inc.'s mobile operating system for the first time last quarter among new U.S. smart-phone users, according to Nielsen Co.

Android had 27 percent of the U.S. market in the second quarter, compared with 23 percent for the Apple iPhone OS, known as iOS, Nielsen said on its website Monday. Research In Motion Ltd. clung to its leading position, with a 33 percent share.

Manufacturers such as Motorola Inc. and HTC Corp. used Android in a wider range of handsets, giving new smart-phone purchasers more options. Still, the iPhone retained a higher share than Android among existing smart-phone users, according to Nielsen's research.

"There's a massive hunger for smart phones, and the Android universe came out not just with one blockbuster device but with a whole series of blockbuster devices," said Roger Entner, head of telecom research at Nielsen.

Motorola's Droid is sold through Verizon Wireless, the largest U.S. mobile-phone service provider. Sprint Nextel Corp. introduced the Evo 4G, made by HTC, in June.

BlackBerry operating system commanded 35 percent of the overall U.S. smart phone market. Still, among newcomers, BlackBerry's market share dropped to 33 percent from 45 percent a year earlier, Nielsen said.

Microsoft Corp.'s Windows Phone software also lost popularity with new users. Its share fell to 11 percent last quarter from 20 percent a year earlier, according to Nielsen.

Among all U.S. smart-phone subscribers, Apple's share increased to 28 percent last quarter from 21 percent a year ago, Nielsen said. Android's share of smart-phone subscribers rose to 13 percent from 2 percent.