Mobile junkies -- and I'm not talking about druggies in cars -- are abuzz because Google's Android operating system overtook the iPhone in U.S. smartphone sales in the first quarter behind RIM OS, according to the NPD Group.
It was the first quarter that the Android operating system edged the Apple OS in sales.
When looking at unit sales during the three months ending March 31, 2010, RIM OS stood at 36%, Android took the #2 position at 28%, and Apple OS was third at 21%.
PCWorld points out that although Android had a stellar sales quarter, it still trails RIM, Apple and Windows Mobile in market share, according to ComScore, with just 9% of marketshare in the U.S. mobile market.
But while many observers are marveling at Android's sales strides in the first quarter, PCWorld punctures the euphoria a bit.
"But hold on, Android fanboys, before you claim a victory in the name of open source and open systems," writes JR Raphael of PCWorld. "Understand that Android's growth probably has more to do with aggressive sales and marketing by Verizon Wireless. The carrier expanded its two-for-one promotion last quarter to include all smartphones, and increasingly, that means Android phones."
T-Mobile recently had a similar promotion, which included Android phones.
But, if these giveaways and promotions fed Android's leapfrogging in the first quarter, my reaction is, so what?
Kudos to Google and the wireless carriers for getting more of these devices out into the mainstream.
The bottom line -- regardless of the marketing strategy -- is that millions of consumers are getting their hands on Android phones.
Apple beware.
And, if the Android is any good, hordes of consumers may be using the Android OS for years.
What does this mean for the travel industry?
If you delayed Android app development when the iPad rolled out, or if you think the iPhone is the only sexy way to go, you'd better rethink your priorities and strategy and make sure you get some Android-love in the mix.
You might consider approaching an app-development specialist who can develop a framework for tackling this ever-more-fragmented mobile market.
If you are an online travel agency or supplier website, hold onto your hats.
As was discussed last week at Travdex in Atlanta, gone are the days when travel companies could be content merely with driving traffic to their websites.
Now, travel companies have to optimize their web businesses for Facebook, Twitter , FourSquare and a plethora of mobile operating systems, including -- increasingly -- the Android.
And, who knows, if reports are true that Verizon and Google are developing a tablet to compete with the iPad, your developers may even be able to use Steve Jobs-dissed Flash.