“While the Google-backed Android mobile operating system currently runs on less than 2% of all smartphones, Gartner Inc. predicts it will surge to 14% of the global smartphone market in 2012 — ahead of the iPhone, as well as Windows Mobile and BlackBerry smartphones,” Matt Hamblen reports for Computerworld.

“The complete Gartner forecast for smartphone OSes by the end of 2012 puts Symbian on top with 203 million devices sold, and 39% of the market. Android will be second with nearly 76 million units sold, and 14.5% of the market,” Hamblen reports. “Coming in a close third, the iPhone will ship on 71.5 million devices in 2012, giving a 13.7% market share. Windows Mobile will finish fourth, with 66.8 million units sold, or 12.8% of the market.”

“Very close behind Windows Mobile, the BlackBerry OS will sell on 65.25 million devices in 2012, Gartner forecasts, making it fifth with 12.5% market share,” Hamblen reports. “Various Linux devices will sell 28 million units, at 5.4% market share, in sixth place. Palm Inc.’s webOS will sell on 11 million units in 2012, about 2.1% of the market, in seventh place, Gartner says.”

Full article here.

MacDailyNews Take: If Kenny thinks Palm Inc. will still exist in 2012, he’s obviously started his weekend very early. Maybe he thinks some company will be selling devices with the WebOS? That might be more realistic. Either way, Hamblem’s forecast has been iCal’ed for future use as soon as we have the actual 2012 full year numbers.