BII REPORT: The Race To Be The Third Mobile Platform

BII REPORT: The Race To Be The Third Mobile Platform

Read more:  http://www.businessinsider.com/bii-report-the-race-to-be-the-third-mobile-platform-2013-1#ixzz2Ie0XgHrL

“Here’s an overview of the race to be the third mobile  platform:

• The argument in favor of a third platform is straightforward and  compelling: A  new, robust competitor will prevent the dominant platforms from growing  complacent or stifling innovation. Apple  and Google  are pretty happy with the status quo. Consumers are probably not consciously  pining for a third mobile platform. Developers would happily get behind a third  platform if it widened their revenue streams.
• Microsoft  has a head start: It launched Windows  Phone in 2010, and tablet-friendly Windows 8 this year. It is experienced  in building developer communities. However,  Windows Phone has so far only managed a paltry 3 percent platform market  share.
• Amazon has the most potential to upend the market: A  smartphone would be a natural extension of Amazon’s distribution empire, and its Kindle  Fire tablet play. Amazon  has 106 million unique visitors accessing its sites, many of them with  credit cards on file.
• Samsung  is a dark horse: Its dependency on Android may become a liability and  push the South Korean manufacturer into the platform business. Samsung’s  strength is its hardware sales prowess — Samsung shipped over 56  million smartphones in the third quarter of  2012.  “

Read more:  http://www.businessinsider.com/bii-report-the-race-to-be-the-third-mobile-platform-2013-1#ixzz2Ie0pWiQi

While Android and iOS control a similar share of the North American market, the mix is different and YMMV.  Blackberry may surprise everyone with the new version and device(s) and Windows may still have some surprises up its sleeves in 2013.

Stephen