Apple's iOS has maintained a lead over Android as the top mobile operating system in North America since January, though both platforms have gained market share this year at the expense of Research in Motion's BlackBerry, according to new data from mobile ad network InMobi.
The report, which is based on ad impressions on InMobi's network, revealed that iOS had 37 percent market share in North America for the first quarter of the year, up from 33 percent during the fourth quarter of 2011. Android, meanwhile, took second place for the quarter, garnering 34 percent share, up from 32.5 percent during Q4 2011. RIM's BlackBerry, meanwhile, took the third spot, dropping 4.6 percent since the fourth quarter – from 11.9 percent to 7.3 percent this past quarter.
"Apple maintained its lead over Android and further increased its share of impressions and handset dominance; the new iPad certainly helped its overall position," Anne Frisbie, InMobi's vice president and managing director for North America, said in a statement. "However, we know that fierce competition is created across the operating systems when new devices enter the market and this time last year Android surpassed iOS globally."
InMobi's report states that Apple devices took the top three spots as the most prominent handsets in North America during this past quarter. The iPhone accounted for 19.7 percent share of impressions, while the iPod made up 12.2 percent and the iPad totaled 4.9 percent.
Globally, however, Nokia devices had the highest number of impressions at 35 percent, the report states. Nokia's global market share has decreased slightly since the last quarter though.
"We will see further disruption if devices such as the much anticipated Amazon smartphone and Google tablet hit the US market this year," Frisbie said. "Momentum surrounding Windows 8 could also change the market significantly.”