Google Android tops smart-phone software platform

According to a ComScore survey, Google's Android software platform has captured the No. 1 rank among smart-phone platforms in the U.S. for the first time.

For the 3-month period ending in Jan., Android had a 31.2% market share, up from 23.5% the prior quarter. Apple's iPhone share was flat at 24.7%, while Research In Motion's BlackBerry, the longtime leader, skidded to 30.4% from 35.8%. Microsoft garnered an 8% share.

Ownership of smart phones climbed 8% from the prior quarter to 65.8 mil, ComScore said.

Microsoft sells 2 million units of Windows Phone 7 software

Microsoft Corp sold more than 2 million units of its new Windows Phone 7 software to handset makers last quarter, a strong start for the new software launched in October, but still far behind Apple Inc's iPhone and Google Inc's Android system.

The world's largest software maker, which licenses the technology to handset makers such as Samsung Electronics Co Ltd, LG Electronics Inc and HTC Corp, also said there were now more than 6,500 apps for download by users from its online marketplace.

"The numbers show pretty good momentum on the sales of the platform," said Al Hilwa, an analyst at tech research firm IDC. "Anecdotally almost everyone who has seen the phone has commented on the style and fluidity of the interface. The apps numbers are excellent for this early stage of the lifecycle."

Despite the strong start, Microsoft still lags its main rivals in the smartphone market.

Microsoft to offer online bazaar for cell phone software

According to a report by Wall Street Journal, Microsoft Corp is planning to offer new programs and services for mobile phones, including an "online bazaar" for software.

The online bazaar would be for phones which are running on Microsoft's Windows Mobile operating system.

Microsoft will also soon offer its latest version of Windows Mobile, which will have a "more sophisticated interface."

From Friday, the company has started a limited release of its "My Phone" service, which synchronises information like contacts and calendar appointments on a cell phone to a password protected website.