Having seen the impact Microsoft's Windows 8 splash at BUILD 2011 had on the press, it'd be easy to deduce Windows Phone was rolled out a little early.

While the popularity of Windows 8 across PCs, netbooks and tablets will undoubtedly be used to familiarise people with the Metro UI also sported by Windows Phone, until that date, the smartphone platform remains out on a limb.

The latest numbers sourced from NPD's Connected Intelligence reports, however, suggest Microsoft's OS is already gaining traction with US consumers without Windows 8's help, even if almost half of them have no idea what Windows Phone actually is.

All-conquering Android

NPD's figures proclaim Android as by far and away the most popular smartphone platform in the country, accounting for at least half of all purchases during the last three quarters.

That's a rate of growth that shows no sign of slowing, either. Android is also the most alluring OS both for owners of handsets running rival platforms, and those yet to make the upgrade from feature phones.

As such, rival platforms look set to suffer in the quarters ahead: NPD reports one third of all BlackBerry owners are looking to make the switch to Google's OS with their next phone.

But, despite only accounting for 1.6 percent of the worldwide market according to Gartner, a vast sum of those same consumers are also considering adopting Windows Phone handsets.

Opening Windows

NPD claims 44 percent of US consumers are interested in purchasing Windows Phone devices, suggesting Microsoft's share in the country could soar in the near future.

Even more interesting, however, are the reasons given for why Microsoft's OS isn't on the radar for that remaining 56 percent.

NPD claims 45 percent of all those surveyed have no idea what Windows Phone is, while 46 percent of those looking to purchase a rival smartphone OS said they simply didn't know enough about Windows Phone to make the leap.

All in all, it's a set of numbers that suggests consumers haven't been picking up Windows Phone handsets not because the platform is unpopular, but simply because it remains a mystery for many.

As far as Microsoft is concerned, roll on Windows 8.

[source: mocoNews]