Last year was a bright year for Palm. They introduced a revolutionary new operating system and launched the first webOS device in June. Palm, not unlike Microsoft has done with Windows Phone Series 7, decided to cut ties with their old OS. Gartner has released a report that shows worldwide smartphone sales to end users based upon OS. With limited webOS device distribution, 2009 bears out some tough numbers, numbers that are surely to improve in 2010.
As noted, webOS accounts for 0.7% market share in 2009. Take into account that international roll-out didn’t occur until late in the year and Sprint was the exclusive (read: only) US carrier for 2009. With Verizon on board, an expected release on AT&T and even a rumored T-Mobile deal, 2010 should see a significant jump in the numbers. Palm has also increased the number of carrier partners internationally, which will also have a direct impact on market share for 2010.
With all the hype surrounding the Android OS, Google’s OS came in with just 3.9% market share, up from 0.5% in 2008. Symbian, RIM and iPhone OS led the way. Anyone venture to predict numbers for 2010?
This minuscule marketshare doesn’t matter. Not factored in is whatever share that had been previously held in prior years by Treo PalmOS or WinCE share, now given back due to launch of WebOS.
And it doesnt matter because stock is at 8 and change this morning.
Palm management better wake up. They’re far too complacent and risk the company either failing, requiring boat loads of more (dilutive) capital, or being forced to sell to the highest bidder.
The launch at Verizon was terrible, with reps in ever store I visited having no knowledge or training in Palm’s product line. This morning 3 analysts acknowledged my research by blaming poor VZ performance for their downgrades of PALM stock.
I’m trying to hang in here, but (a) quality of phones still suck, (b) they need to spread the ecosystem to other phone makers, and (c) Palm management needs to shake things up.
so – you decided NOT to post my comment of yesterday? I’m surprised: the official PALM blog did.