Google Android ranks as the top operating system among U.S. smartphone subscribers, Apple is a capturing the #2 position of the smartphone market while RIM ranks third followed by Microsoft and Palm.

According to data released by comScore Inc., Google Android the 36.4 percent of U.S. smartphone subscribers have an Android smarthone, up 5.2 percentage points. Apple also gained share, capturing the second position with 26.0 percent of the smartphone market. RIM ranked third with 25.7 percent share, followed by Microsoft (6.7 percent) and Palm (2.6 percent).

The study surveyed more than 30,000 U.S. mobile subscribers and found Samsung to be the top handset manufacturer overall with 24.5 percent market share. Google Android led among smartphone platforms with 36.4 percent market share.

74.6 million people in the U.S. owned smartphones during the three months ending in April 2011, up 13 percent from the three-month period ending in January 2011. Google Android ranked as the top operating system with 36.4 percent of U.S. smartphone subscribers, up 5.2 percentage points. Apple also gained share, capturing the #2 position with 26.0 percent of the smartphone market. RIM ranked third with 25.7 percent share, followed by Microsoft (6.7 percent) and Palm (2.6 percent).

For the three month average period ending in April, 234 million Americans ages 13 and older used mobile devices, the research firm said. Device manufacturer Samsung ranked as the top OEM with 24.5 percent of U.S. mobile subscribers, followed by LG with 20.9 percent share and Motorola with 15.6 percent share. Apple jumped to the #4 position with 8.3 percent share of mobile subscribers (up 1.3 percentage points), while RIM rounded out the top five with 8.2 percent share.

RIM's shares dropped on Friday after a research firm said the company's slice of the U.S. market for high-end mobile phones narrowed in the three months to April.

The Canadian company's struggle to compete with Apple and Google. The company's new BlackBerry Bold, a touchscreen model announced for a "summer" launch in early May, is not expected to reach stores until September.

comScore's data report key trends in the U.S. mobile phone industry during the three month average period ending April 2011.