Analyst Predicts Android Will Outsell iPhone, BlackBerry, Windows Mobile by 2012

Google's Android OS is still getting off the ground, but an analyst for the market-research firm Gartner predicts that two years from now it will have a larger share of the world market than almost all of its rivals.

Analyst Ken Dulaney believes that Symbian will maintain its lead in this market, but won't dominate quite as much as it does now. Gartner estimates it will have around a 40% share.

Android will jump up to second with roughly 75 million units in 2010, for about 15% of the market. This is definitely a bullish prediction, as this OS is currently in sixth place. However, Dulaney thinks that backing from Google and the array of companies bringing out Android-based smartphones will prove a successful combination. 

The Rest of the Pack
In Gartner's prediction for 2012, all of the top mobile platforms but Symbian will be running neck-and-neck

Right behind Android will be Apple's iPhone with a 14% share of the world market. then Windows Mobile with 13%, and then the BlackBerry OS just a tiny bit behind.

On contrast to his optimism about Android, Dulaney is pessimistic about RIM's BlackBerry platform, predicting it will drop from second place to fifth place.

This market-analysis firm also doesn't see Palm's webOS becoming a significant force in the market. It's prediction is for a 2% share in 2012.

Source: Gartner via Computerworld