NPD: Android ousts iPhone OS for second place in US smartphone market

NPD: Android ousts iPhone OS for second place in US smartphone market: "

Having just recently started testing a Droid Incredible I can say this is is not a surprise. The form factory options, OS features and variety of carriers make the Android platform a clear winner over the iPhone. Additionally the upcoming iPhone OS 4 features announced still don't answer many deficiencies with the platform.

To maintain their current advantage and cap this nonsense iPhone hysteria Google needs to advertise more (something the press does for Apple currently) and they need to stop the OS fragmentation (people can buy Android 1.5/1.6/2.0/2.1 devices currently today with a varying level of feature sets).

As a current iPhone 3G user (since its release) I can't wait to ditch the iPhone platform, though I'd really like to hold out for either a device with a 4.3" screen or an Incredible that sports a vertical slide with hidden QWERTY keyboard.
Stuart

As Rumors Grow of a Verizon iPhone, AT&T Steps Up Their Game

As many iPhone customers continue to criticize AT&T's cellular network regarding performance, The Wall Street Journal reports that AT&T's has recently been attempting to beef up its cellular network. As part of the report, the Journal notes that Apple and AT&T have worked closely on addressing the issues, with Apple even going so far as to tweaking how the iPhone connects to the network in order to reduce load and enhance performance.

Apple has attempted to lighten the load by rejiggered how the devices communicate with AT&T's towers. As a result, the phones now put less of a load on the network for such simple tasks as finding the closest tower or checking for available text messages. This will significantly improve the overall performance and reliability of the AT&T network and iPhone handsets.

"They're well past networking 101, 201 or 301," said Mr. Donovan. Apple, he said, is now "in a Master's class." (The wall Street Journal).

In addition, AT&T has been reportedly sending high-ranking company executives to Apple's campus to personally meet with Steve Jobs to assure him that network issues were being addressed and quickly enhanced before the launch of the iPad this weekend. According to the report, AT&T rolled out a "100-day plan" in mid-December to rapidly improve service in high-density markets such as New York City and San Fransisco, cities that have been the focus of customer complaints.

AT&T's "100-day plan" may be paying off as recent studies have show higher consumer satisfaction regarding the iPhones cellular network. It is also important to note that as rumors of a Verizon iPhone for Fall 2010 continue to circulate, and the iPad nears its launch this weekend, there are additional incentives for the carrier to invest in its infrastructure, and maintain its competitive advantage by being the only U.S. carrier to hold the iPhone.