Google Inc’s (NASDAQ: GOOG) Android mobile OS is being adopted at an rapid pace by hardware firms from HTC to Motorola (NYSE: MOT). Google also has its own Android handset–the Nexus One.

The adoption rate of Android is so quick that the OS moved ahead of Apple Inc’s (NASDAQ: AAPL) OS in the first quarter of 2010.  Android trails the Research-in-Motion (NASDAQ: RIMM), but not by much.

According to research firm NPD, “the Android operating system moved into second position at 28 percent behind RIM’s OS (36 percent) and ahead of Apple’s OS (21 percent).”

The information shows the power of an OS that is not tethered to one handset. The Apple OS only operates on the iPhone and RIM’s only works on the Blackberry. Because of these differences, Android is likely to gain market share as it is adopted by more and more smart phone manufacturers.

The question is “does it matter”? Google does not appears to have a revenue mode for its mobile OS. Android may make it more likely that people with smart phones with the Google OS will use the firm’s search engine.  But owners of Android-based handsets can set another search product as their default.

For the time being, Android is winning a race in which there may be no prize.

Douglas A. McIntyre

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