Android Surpasses Even RIM In This StudyAndroid Surpasses Even RIM In This Study

NPD is reporting that Android has taken the top spot in the second quarter of 2010, topping even RIM. Whether it is in first or second place, Android has a very bright future.Earlier this week, I wrote about the report from Nielsen that put RIM at the top of the heap, though its market share was steadily declining, followed by Android and then the iPhone.

Now the NPD Group has reported their Q2 stats and it puts Android in the number one slot with 33 percent of the market. RIM was second with 28 percent and Apple came in third with 22 percent.

Why the difference? NPD's research focuses exclusively on consumer purchases, or phones sold over the counter. Purchases by companies and government entities that buy in bulk are not included. These are exactly the type of purchases RIM would have that could materially affect its share numbers. From a consumer standpoint, RIM is in second place, but overall, it is still in first as Nielsen reported when you factor in all sales, consumer and enterprise.

Will the new Blackberry Torch turn things around for RIM in the consumer space? RIM would like to think so but NPD analyst Ross Rubin isn't so sure.

The report for Q3 will be a better indicator of how Blackberry 6 is helping the consumer business. It will also reflect a full quarter of the iPhone 4. Of course, the Droid X and Droid 2 will also have a major impact on Android's share. In addition to that, WebOS 2 and Windows Phone 7 will be launching this year. It is going to get interesting, that's for sure.