The Windows Mobile platform is suffering as Apple has revolutionized the smartphone business, says research firm Canalys
Its latest research report highlighted the buzz surrounding the iPhone, Android and BlackBerry smartphone platforms, and focused particularly on Apple’s iPhone gains in the market.
Canalys senior analyst Pete Cunningham, said: “Apple has revolutionized the smart phone sector, leapfrogging more experienced rivals.”
He said, however, that there is opportunity for rivals to target Apple’s weak spots, which he named as the high cost of the iPhone and the restricted selection of operators due to its exclusive tie-ups in many countries.
Canalys said, however: “The main loser has been Microsoft’s highly standardized Windows Mobile platform. Its [global] smartphone market share has now fallen below 10 percent and the trend is likely to continue as many of its OEM (original equipment manufacturer) partners, including HTC, Motorola and Palm, are focusing investment on other platforms.”
Globally, Windows Mobile has been eclipsed by Apple, which went from a 2.1 percent market share in the second quarter of 2008 to holding 13.7 percent of the market in the second quarter of this year.
BlackBerry-maker, Research In Motion (RIM), held a 20.9 percent share in the second quarter of this year, with Nokia still on top at 44.3 percent.
Full Story: Business Week
