Googles Android King of U.S. Smartphone Market

In the U.S. consumer smartphone market, Googles Android is the No. 1 operating system, according to The Nielsen Company.

Nielsen reported today that Android holds 29 percent market share, ahead of Research in Motions BlackBerry OS (27 percent) and Apples iOS (27 percent).

And perhaps Android isnt a platform just for nerds as INQs CEO Frank Meehan asserts.  [O]f the three most popular smartphone operating systems, Android seems to attract more young consumers,” Nielsen reports.

But Android is not the biggest player in the U.S. smartphone market based on an analysis of smartphone manufacturers because Google doesnt develop handsets. 

Instead, the likes of HTC, Motorola and Samsung develop smartphones with Googles popular platform.

Among U.S. smartphone manufacturers, RIM and Apple each hold 27 percent market share, according to Nielsen.