Windows Phone poised to overtake RIM?

The technology research group Ovum is predicting that Android will drive smartphone market growth that is expected to double by 2016. The predictions will see Android owning 38% of the market, Apple owning 17.5% and Blackberry holding 16.5%.

What is interesting is that despite all the doom and gloom surrounding theNoDo headaches, Ovum has Windows Phone 7 claiming 17.2% of the market that will put it in the number three spot, ahead of RIM and not too far behind Apple. Ovum credits much of the predicted growth to help given by Nokia and their partnership with Microsoft.

However, Ovum points out that while there are potential rewards to the Nokia/Microsoft deal it also comes with risks. Ovum principal analyst Adam Leach states in the research release,

“For Microsoft the deal provides a committed handset partner that has the potential to make Windows Phone a mainstream smartphone platform. The risk to Microsoft is that other handset makers may choose not to compete with Nokia and may turn their backs on Windows Phone.”

While we all share frustrations over the update woes, this report is just a friendly reminder of the potential Windows Phone 7 has. Who knows, if Microsoft and the carriers can get this update process down pat and Ovum's predictions hold true, Windows Phone 7 might even overtake Apple.