Android vs. iPhone

Many carriers and manufacturers combined to boost sales of Android phones above sales of rival Apple's iPhone in the third quarter. According to new data issued by market research firm NPD Group, Android-powered devices took 44 percent of sales, compared to 23 percent for the iPhone.

Android sales rose 11 percent throughout the second quarter, while iPhone sales rose 1 percent during the same period.

Market analysts said the cause of the increase is the addition of new devices to the Android family.

"The HTC EVO 4G, Motorola Droid X and other new high-end Android devices have been gaining momentum at carriers that traditionally have been strong [Research in Motion Ltd.] distributors, and the recent introduction of the BlackBerry Torch has done little to stem the tide," said NPD Group executive director of industry analysis Ross Rubin in a press statement.

These increases helped bolster overall sales of smartphones.

In the third quarter, global sales of smartphones reached 81.1 million units, up 89.5 percent from the 42.8 million units that were sold in last year's third quarter, according to market research firm International Data Corporation.

"That the smartphone market has grown nearly 90 percent from last year and more than six times the overall mobile phone market indicates strong demand worldwide and vendors' collective ability to meet that demand," said Ramon Llamas, senior research analyst with IDC's Mobile Devices Technology and Trends team, in a press release. "Increasingly, users look to smartphones as their next devices while carriers have broadened selection and offered generous subsidies. To keep up with demand, vendors' plans to emphasize smartphones in their portfolios have resulted in sharp growth as evidenced by Motorola, Samsung, and Sony Ericsson. We expect more vendors to do the same."

"Smartphone makers have the wind behind their sails," said Kevin Restivo, IDC senior mobility analyst, in a press statement. "The market transition to smartphones is proceeding at a brisk and unabated pace."

The smartphone wars have also been fought in the legal arena.

In October, Motorola, which makes many popular Android handsets, filed a lawsuit against Apple, claiming infringement of 18 patents and calling for a ban on all sales of iPhone units.

Last week, Apple announced that it would countersue Motorola for allegedly infringing on six patents, including those for Apple's multi-touch technology, and calling for a ban on sales of seven handset models.

Student opinions on the competing devices varied.

David Saville, an Android user, said the ability for several manufacturers to run the Android operating system on different phones distinguishes the brand from others.

"Google offers the one thing Apple doesn't, and that's competition," Saville said. "Every major carrier has Android phones.

"Also, Apple limits what you can do with the iPhone," Saville added. "It almost feels as you are renting from them. Droid is completely open source."

iPhone owner Whitney Hall said her phone is more usable.

"It's easy to use," Hall said. "People like [iPhones] because they just work well out of the box, and because they aren't confusing like the others."