Smartphone newbies gravitate to iPhones

By Brett Winterford on Nov 1, 2010 12:29 PM
Filed under Hardware

Whilst Android users multiply.


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A survey of 1200 iTnews readers would suggest that Australia's technology leaders are gravitating towards iPhone and Android devices over Symbian, Windows and Blackberry smartphones.

The survey, which asked readers about their IT spending in the coming 12 months, also asked what smartphone operating system powered our readers' mobile devices.

Last year, 31 percent of readers didn't use what they would term a 'smartphone'. This year that number was down to 19 percent.

That's four out of five readers using their phones for web browsing, email and downloading of apps.

Not a lot of that growth is coming from Blackberry, Symbian and Windows. Users of Blackberrys and Symbian-based phones were up around one percent, whilst Palm OS just about fell off the chart altogether.

Windows Mobile also made a very poor showing, down from 16.7 percent of readers in 2009 to 10.1 percent this year. Microsoft would desperately be hoping that the recent launch of the Windows Mobile 7 OS will turn its smartphone fortunes around.

Source: iTnews 2010 Reader Survey (1200+ respondents)

The stats showed that Android has truly come of age - from one percent of our readers using Android last year to six percent today. Again, watch the figures in 2011 with the release of devices like the Desire HD. I would be surprised if Android didn't hit double figures.

The biggest surprise in the iTnews office is the growth in iPhone users - from 18.1 percent of our readers in 2009 to 30 percent in 2010. That is almost precisely the same percentage increase of those that have adopted a smartphone for the first time.

There is no way to tell if the numbers correlate directly, but it could suggest that Apple has very effectively sold into the second wave of smartphone adopters.

Or perhaps the iPhone appeals to the new generation of IT industry workers connecting with iTnews for the first time.

What do you think?

13 comments in this discussion

"Baaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh!"

By Stuart21

Tags

iphone, android, blackberry, windows, symbian, reader, survey

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Comments: 13

funkyg Nov 1, 2010 1:40 PM	I've been an iPhone user for a few years now, but in the last 2 months I've also been testing an Android phone. To do this I bought a Nexus One, so I could get the latest version of the OS. I should also explain that the reason I am doing this is because I have been watching the amazing growth of Android devices in the US to a point where they now outnumber iPhones. In Australia we have a slightly different situation though as all phone companies carry iPhones, where in the US only AT&T are allowed to sell them. This means that over there, if you can't get AT&T reception, then you can't have an iPhone, and Android is your next choice. Ok, I'm going to skip a lot of detail here or this will be the longest comment ever! Essentially, Android just isn't ready yet for a normal user. It is full of little geeky quirks, the touch screen regularly offsets itself the touch from where your finger lands, and the interface is frankly not that well thought out. On top of this the openness of the platform has meant that apps can look dodgy and unprofessional. It is a nice option for geeks and tinkerers, but normal users beware. My feeling is that unless Android makes real usability strides in the next year, you will see a lot of Android users, who like the power of a smart phone, but move off Android to an iPhone because it just works. That way Apple will again pick up market share. There are a couple of things I should add to that. Windows Phone 7 is getting good reviews and maybe a great phone for a more normal user. I wouldn't count out Palm now HP have bought them either. As for Nokia, well I'd like to think they can come good, but nothing they have shown since the iPhone launched has shown any indication that they will.
Bob Nov 1, 2010 2:01 PM	In summary, then. iPhone for real people, because it works. Android for geeks so they can "fix" it. The only thing limiting iPhone sales is the speed they can make them, i.e., 1 million per month. Software developers will produce more good apps and cheaper for iPhone because you can provide a warranty that it works. You can't do that with Android because how do you test it on every phone and variation that comes along.
dar.ice11 Nov 1, 2010 3:12 PM	I think Bob is on the right track. My iPhone is my all out work and personal everyday device. I love it, it works like a dream. BUT I want a Android phone to play with, it appeals to the "geek" in me.
Corsair Nov 1, 2010 5:28 PM	The above 3 comments are massively misleading and should be completely ignored (it is obvious they were posted by people who love all things iPhone). The "testing" that was done should've been done with either the Galaxy S or the Desire running the latest Android OS. These phones, with that OS, are (and decent review sites will tell you this) on par, if not better, than the iPhone. Both the HTC Desire and the Samsung Galaxy S are for real people because they work. They require no "fixing". And, as with ALL smartphones, you need to be cautious what you load on it. Basically, all the 3 comments above are equivalent to total lies, so ignore them all. My suggestion is to try out the Android phones I mentioned in the store. Try on the new Windows Phone 7 ones as well. Try out the iPhone. Then - compare the features of both, what they can and cannot do, the cost - and how this all fits with your budget and your requirements. Make your decision then - thats what a real person would do. Thats what a smart person would do. Ignore the bias in the above comments.
Ace Nov 1, 2010 5:49 PM	The only OS showing growth in the US is Android. Others have either plateaued (iPhone, Symbian) or are are falling (Blackberry, Windows etc). It looks pretty clear that this trend will continue for some time, particularly because phone manufacturers using Android are free to add their own features (ie: Motorola Motoblur etc). I'm not sure what previous comments mean by 'geek', because a Samsung Galaxy S could not be further from geeky, unless you also call an iPhone geeky. It is interesting however that some people have that perception about Android, probably due to its open source origins, however it is not hurting it's sales. The real growth of Android is in China and Europe, and I wonder if that has something to do with internationalisation, or whether its to do with those areas of the world being more anti-'lock-in'. Personally I find the iPhone to be a piece of useless junk in the workplace and I don't like the way Apple want your credit card details even for free apps. But I respect the fact the Apple fanbois are numerous and are willing to join the cult to own such a device, which when held correctly, can communicate on the telephone networks like other phones. It's just not for me :)
Ezy2Confuze Nov 1, 2010 6:43 PM	I was hanging out to see whether Win7 phone was going to be a good upgrade from my existing Winmobile 6.5 phone, however I am not that impressed with it so far. The fact that it doesn't even have basic functionality like cut & paste out of the box says "rush job" to me. So I'm going to stick to my trusty HTC Touch Pro 2 for the time being.
Schikitar Nov 2, 2010 9:41 AM	Ezy2Confuse - MS had to get a functional product out there before it was too late, they knew it, we knew it. They have released a very high quality v1 product (think back to the first iPhone and how far that matured). Give MS time and WP7 will be a serious competitor. Things like 'cut and paste' have already been marked for release Q1 next year I believe so functionality will be added. The great thing I like about WP7 is that there is more freedom in the hardware choice of the consumer, something the iClone will never have. Android is too 'Linux' for most - great for the geeks, the knowledgable or the brave, but lacking the polish and consistency compared to the likes of Apple or MS...
Corsair Nov 2, 2010 10:42 AM	Schikitar - again. A comment without any sort of credibility to it. What you said about Android is an absolute lie. The HTC Desire and the Samsung Galaxy S are extremely polished and consistent. Both phones are an absolute dream to use. Both phones are based on Android. Your comment just shows plain ignorance.
BrettWinterford Nov 2, 2010 11:04 AM	@Corsair - I'm leaning to your way of thinking. I am no codecutter and I enjoyed the HTC Desire, looking forward to trying the Galaxy S and the Desire HD. The folks at PC Authority - who review smartphones on a daily basis - are pretty sold on the latter - because its intuitive enough that you don't need to be a geek to get it, but there is also a level of features you can dive into that isn't available on other devices. My only dramas with Android are who to go to for support, and fragmentation when it comes to upgrades. And @Ezy2Confuse - I am with you on Microsoft. Can't believe there is no cut and paste. Surely that's Microsoft's forte?
Ace Nov 2, 2010 12:22 PM	One thing I like about Android is the multiple App stores that have opened up for developers to place apps into, and for consumers to shop at. Support-wise @Brett, surely you always go back to the place of purchase or the manufacturer for support? I would suspect it is only the manufacturer who can provide an upgrade for your phone, as they need to test and possibly provide firmware updates for new features. Certainly outside of those options, there is a wealth of information online, but probably more in the form of advice or app support.
Corsair Nov 2, 2010 2:16 PM	@Brett: Cheers mate. In regards to support - your best bet is to first go to the place you bought the phone from (be it Optus, Telstra, All Phones, etc) OR go straight to the manufacturer (HTC, Samsung, etc). Its the same deal with iPhones. Only Apple can service iPhones - but your initial communication would be with the outlet you bought your phone from OR with Apple themselves.
ITnovice Nov 2, 2010 6:20 PM	iPhone's are for sheep (followers and not leaders). People that know nothing about technology buy the iPhone because they don't know about alternatives and Apple has done more advertising and is better known in general. That does not mean that Android powered phones are inferior, just less well known/understood. Some Android phones have better hardware specs too.
Stuart21 Nov 2, 2010 10:54 PM	Baaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh!