Apple iPhone, Google Android Increase Market Share

Apple's iPhone and Google's Android operating system both saw their market share continue to rise in the second quarter, according to research firm NPD.

Apple's iOS saw its market share increase from 28 to 29 percent, while Google's Android inched up to 52 percent from 50 percent market share in the first quarter.

As Apple and Google saw gains with their operating systems, RIM's BlackBerry continued to lose a portion of its market share. RIM was down to an 11 percent smartphone share compared to 14 percent last quarter. The Canadian-based company had once owned the market, but has been unable to deal with Apple and Google's smartphone technology advances.

RIM used to be the gold standard, The Motley Fool analyst Matt Koppenheffer told IBTimes. You had your BlackBerry and that's all there was to it. It has some different products out now, but I see a lot of RIM and BlackBerry products that just seem so outdated.

The company has put a lot of time and effort into its QNX based phones, which are expected to come out in early 2012, but even that might not be able to stop Google's growing base. With last week's announcement by Google to purchase Motorola Mobility, its Android market share could continue to grow and grow.

Google's acquisition of Motorola shifts the balance of power in the handset-patent conflict between Google and its operating system competitors, said Ross Rubin, executive director of industry analysis for NPD. Android's momentum has made for a large pie that is attractive to Motorola's Android rivals, even if they must compete with their operating system developer.

There was some initial speculation after the announcement that Android may lose some of its phone carriers due to the Motorola purchase, but all of the major providers have affirmed their allegiance and continued relationship with Android.

Looking towards the next quarter, Apple could see further gains once its iPhone 5 hits the market in September. The buzz around the phone has been considerable, as the growing Apple ecosystem continues to spur more consumers towards the iPhone.