Android Smartphone Market: Businessweek Take on Google in Smartphone Space

Android Smartphone Market: Everybody has an opinion on Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG)’s position in the smartphone market. While there is no denying the fact that the Apple iPhone often times gets the most attention, Businessweek has taken a closer look at how Google has begun to close the gap.

Here is an excerpt from the article, giving a good idea of where things stand right now:

“Apple was for a time the biggest smartphone maker and its mobile operating system was the most widely used, in part because of the company’s leadership in downloadable games, magazines and productivity tools. It fell behind in software to Google’s Android in 2010 and ceded the top hardware spot to Samsung Electronics Co. last year. After trailing Apple for years by number of apps available, Google caught up last year, saying in October that its Google Play featured 700,000 applications, the same number Apple boasted that month.”

With these numbers in mind, it is easy to see that Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) is no longer an afterthought in this space. In fact, it appears that the company is dead even with Apple as well as other manufacturers.

In the same Businessweek article, Clive Downie, chief executive officer of the Ngmoco unit at DeNA Co. added the following information:

“It’s growing exponentially — we’ve seen an inflection point the past six months. We treat Android and Apple the same. They are equal partners to us and we put equal amounts of resources toward both platforms.”

Still not convinced that Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) is making serious waves in the smartphone industry? If you are a bit skeptical, you are not alone. Maybe this information will open your eyes:

“Google’s gains are mirrored by the companies’ share prices. Google closed at a record high on Feb. 1, while Apple’s stock has tumbled 37 percent from its peak in September. Apple is trading at a 55 percent discount to Google on a price-to- earnings basis. That’s the widest spread since July 2006, about a year before the iPhone was introduced.”

“Three of four handsets sold in the $260 billion global smartphone market are powered by Google’s Android operating system. To press the advantage, Google has been making it easier for programmers to build apps and simpler for users to find and purchase them.”

These are just some of the facts that have people reconsidering the thought that Apple is the top dog in this industry.

There is plenty of room for more than one company in the $260 billion global smartphone market, but right now things are looking up for Google.

Check back here for more updates on Android Smartphone Market.

DISCLOSURE: I have no positions in any stock mentioned.

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