Millennial: Android stopped growing in October
updated 07:55 am EST, Tue November 22, 2011
Millennial study shows Google static
Android is no longer gaining in traffic, Millennial Media found early on Monday. Although still in the majority at 56 percent, its ad share was identical in October to its results from the summer. Apple was also holding steady at 28 percent, as were RIM at 13 percent and one point each for Symbian and Windows.
Among individual makers and models, Apple was also holding its place. The iPhone was still the top smartphone among ad hits and largely static, while Apple as a manufacturer actually gained share to reach 23.5 percent. HTC and Samsung had themselves gained, but mostly at the expenses of LG, Motorola, and RIM.
Samsung was the fastest moving manufacturer, growing seven points in just one month. Most of this came from the Nexus S, and finally the regular Galaxy S, entering the top 20.
Ad spending did skew slightly towards Android, giving it one point more and exactly half of the revenue on Millennial's network. iOS made up 40 percent.
While the study didn't explain Android's apparent stasis, it came in the same month as the launch of the iPhone 4S and may have seen Apple cool Google's demand. Millennial doesn't represent raw device market share, but it can indicate trends as devices see surges in demand.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2010
Can't beat "free"
Google's attack vector against Microsoft was giving away free software that was "good enough." Because you can't beat free (at least when it comes to "good enough" software.)
Yes, there was quite a bit of pent-up demand for the iPhone 4S. Many potential buyers were forced to wait months longer than they expected, and now they're madly snapping up 4S-es.
But don't forget that Apple also has the near-free iPhone 3GS now. It's a 2 year old design, but it will bring in millions of customers who never would have bought an iPhone, or any smartphone, for even $100. Never underestimate the power of "free."