Android activations remain steady in Q4 2011: rpt

SUNNYVALE, USA: Good Technology, provider of secure, managed enterprise mobility for a range of mobile devices has released its quarterly data report for the final quarter of 2011.

The report details smartphone and tablet devices activated amongst its enterprise customers, which include half of the Fortune 100.

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Tablets were the story for much of 2011, but the mid-October release of the iPhone 4S caused smartphone activations amongst Good's customers to skyrocket.

In the top 10 enterprise activations by device type, the iPhone 4S clinched the #1 spot in Q4, followed by the iPhone 4 at #2 and the iPad 2 at #3, said a press release.

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Android grew steadily in absolute terms and accounted for 35 per cent of smartphone activations, but only 6 per cent of tablet activations, the release added.

The Samsung Galaxy SII was the top Android device at #6, followed by the Motorola Droid Bionic, Motorola Droid 3, Sprint EVO 4G (Q3's most popular Android device), and Motorola Droid X2.

"As we expected, iPhone activations slowed in Q3 in anticipation of the iPhone 4S and then jumped significantly immediately after its launch, with 31 per cent of Q4 activations coming from that device alone," said John Herrema, Good Technology's SVP Corporate Strategy.

"Android continues to be driven by smartphone activations and we expect to see continued Android growth in 2012 as Good's customers continue to ramp up their BYOD programs," said Herrema.

Key findings from report include:

* Apple dominated in the tablet market, with the iPad and iPad 2 accounting for 94 per cent of total tablet activations in Q4 2011. This compares to 6 per cent for Android tablets, where the Samsung Galaxy Tab has consistently been the most popular Android tablet among Good's users.

* Despite Android's overall market share growth and steady absolute growth among Good's customers, just 35 per cent of all Good smartphone activations were on Android, compared to iPhone's 65 per cent.

* There is no clear handset leader in the Android smartphone market, however 4G models such as the Samsung Galaxy S ll, Motorola Droid Bionic, Motorola Droid 3, Sprint EVo 4G (Q3's most popular Android device) and Motorola Droid X2 made this quarter's Top 10 list.