Google Android has overpassed Nokia’s Symbian platform as the most popular smartphone operating system in the last quarter of 2010. According to the stats provided by a research firm Canalys phonemakers sold 32.9 million Android-equipped phones in the last quarter, roughly seven times more than a year ago, compared with Symbian's sales of 31 million.

With the success of the open source Android operating system Google takes an advantageous position because according to many researches mobile phones surpass computers in accessing the web. Among key players in the industry so far only Nokia, Apple and RIM have not resisted using it.

Hit models from Samsung Electronics, HTC and LG Electronics helped Android in the quarter, and telecom operators in many regions aggressively promoted Android phones.

"We have seen some strong products from a number of vendors," said Canalys analyst Tim Shepherd.