Android continues global dominance

Google's Android mobile operating system took over the top spot in the global smartphone platform marketplace earlier this year and hasn't looked back since. In fact, according to new research released by Canalys, Google's platform has only strengthened its lead.

Android commanded 48 percent of the global market during the second quarter of 2011, thanks to massive year-over-year growth of 379 percent. Shipments of Android-based smartphones reached 51.9 million in the second quarter.

Also last quarter, Apple's iOS surpassed Nokia's Symbian OS to take over the second spot in the global market with 19 percent share. And because the iPhone is the only device to run iOS, the 19 percent share also makes Apple the top handset manufacturer in the market.

"The iPhone has been a phenomenal success story for Apple and a watershed product for the market," Canalys vice president and principal analyst Chris Jones said. "It's an impressive success story, given that Apple has only been in the smart phone market for four years."

Such information can prove useful for a company's mobile device management program. By knowing what devices are most popular, the IT department and executives will be better prepared to deal with billing and security issues.