Sales of phones running Google's Android operating system have overtaken those of the iPhone for the first time, dpa quoted a market study as releasing today. The NPD Group study found that Android sales accounted for 28 per cent of all US smartphones purchased in the first quarter of 2010, comfortably ahead of the iPhone, which accounted for 21 per cent of the market. Both however trailed to Research in Motion's Blackberry, which is popular with business buyers, and which accounted for 36 per cent of the market. The study said that the phones running Google's Android operating system were boosted by promotions from the largest US wireless carrier Verizon. The iPhone is available only on AT&T in the US, a carrier which has been widely criticized for poor coverage. Apple is expected to introduce a new version of the iPhone in June and may also announce the end of its exclusive arrangement with AT&T.
