If you are already sick of the two U.S. political parties slugging it out for voters’ attention, get ready for a political drama closer to home: your smartphone. Yes, Apple and Android’s Google want you – specifically the ‘undecided’ amongst consumers yet to decide which smartphone to buy.
“These ‘undecideds will likely be the ones device makers will be hoping to win over,” according to the findings of a July Nielsen survey. While 40 percent of consumers own a smartphone, 60 percent of Americans have yet to switch from simpler feature phones, researchers said.
The smartphone “candidates” appear to have reached a stable base of consumers, with Android leading. Google’s mobile software has 40 percent of the U.S. smartphone market, adding just one percent since Nielsen checked in June. Apple’s iOS platform is No. 2 with 28 percent and flat growth. BlackBerry stands in third place with 19 percent and down one percent compared to last month.
The results equate to Apple and Android being the two major smartphone parties, leaving another 33 percent of other manufacturers to play the role of Ron Paul or another third-party candidate.
