Devices powered by Google's Android OS accounted for 28 per cent of US smartphone sales in 1Q10, eclipsing Apple to take the number-two position behind RIM (36 per cent), according to market tracker NPD.
The figures, garnered from online consumer surveys (and excluding corporate/enterprise sales), place Apple's OSX (i.e. iPhone) in third place on 21 per cent.
NPD says Android's share has been boosted by increased operator support, particularly from Verizon Wireless, which has been pushing Motorola's Droid and Droid Eris devices.
Devices sold through AT&T comprised nearly a third of the US smartphone market during the quarter (32 per cent), followed by Verizon Wireless (30 per cent), T-Mobile (17 per cent) and Sprint (15 per cent).