Google's Android software strengthened its grip on the US smartphone market, powering nearly 42 percent of handsets as of July, industry tracker comScore reported on Tuesday.

Google's Android software strengthened its grip on the US smartphone market, powering nearly 42 percent of handsets as of July, industry tracker comScore reported on Tuesday.

Android's share of the US smartphone market grew to 41.8 percent from 36.4 percent at the start of April, according to comScore.

In that same three-month period, Apple's share of the market rose slightly to 27 percent while BlackBerry maker Research In Motion saw its ranks of subscribers erode four percent to 21.7 percent, comScore reported.

The portion of the market using smartphones powered by Microsoft software shrank to 5.7 percent from 6.7 percent and Symbian's share dipped to 1.9 percent from 2.3 percent.

The number of US smartphone owners climbed 10 percent to 82.2 million in the three months ending in July, while the overall number of mobile phone users was 234 million, according to comScore.

Samsung was the most popular handset maker with 25.5 percent of the market and LG second with 20.9 percent, comScore reported.

Apple's beloved iPhones were the fourth most prevalent handsets and accounted for 9.5 percent of the overall US market, according to the industry tracker.

Explore further Android smartphones widen lead in US market

(c) 2011 AFP