Two and a half years ago, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) set out on a goal. The software giant knew that it needed to revamp its mobile offerings, and to that end it shifted its focus away from its Windows Mobile platform in favor of Windows Phone. The company wanted to become the No. 3 operating system platform, which in no uncertain terms meant overtaking Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY).
On a worldwide basis, Microsoft accomplished exactly that in the first quarter. IDC’s estimates pegged Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)’s global market share a hair above Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY)’s for the first time ever. Most of Windows Phone’s gains are attributable directly to Nokia Corporation (ADR) (NYSE:NOK) and its Lumia lineup, which now comprises four out of every five Windows Phones sold throughout the world.
Well, Kantar Worldpanel ComTech has just released its latest digits on the important U.S. smartphone market, and the estimates show that Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) is now crushing BlackBerry.
| U.S. Smartphone Share | 3 Months Ending April 2012 | 3 Months Ending April 2013 |
|---|---|---|
| BlackBerry | 5.3% | 0.7% |
| Windows | 3.8% | 5.6% |
Source: Kantar Worldpanel ComTech.
Over the course of a year, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) has grown its domestic market share respectably while Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) continues to slide, now claiming less than 1%. These figures are particularly notable since they include the U.S. launch of the Z10, which occurred in late March, albeit the Z10 wasn’t on sale for the entire quarter in question.
Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) modestly increased its position at No. 2 carrier AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T), but lost a lot of traction at the No. 1 carrier Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) Wireless. Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) is giving Windows Phone another shot, as Big Red likes to root for the underdogs in the hopes that the ensuing competition brings down subsidy costs.
The next quarter’s figures will be more telling of which direction Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) is headed, as it will include a full quarter’s worth of Z10 sales. The Q10 is also about to launch, which may tap into the niche segment of hardware keyboard enthusiasts.
Can Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) cement itself as the No. 3 contender, or will Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) retake the bronze?
The article Microsoft Is Crushing BlackBerry originally appeared on Fool.com is written by Evan Niu, CFA.
Fool contributor Evan Niu, CFA, owns shares of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ). The Motley Fool owns shares of Microsoft.
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