Apple iOS and Android devices were apparently popular gifts worldwide over the holiday weekend, with the number of new devices seen by Localytics over 12 times higher than previous weekends. Global growth in the two competing platforms was virtually tied, but with strong regional differences across the Americas, Europe and Asia.

Localytics provides mobile analytic services to top app publishers across over 200 million devices. A key metric tracked by publishers is how many new devices, or customers, use their applications. By calculating the number of new devices across its entire publisher base, Localytics can estimate the growth of iPhones, iPads, Android phones and other devices.

Among the top 20 countries for mobile devices, Localytics saw a huge increase in both Apple iOS and Android devices over the Dec. 23-26 weekend compared to previous weekends since Nov. 25. The US and Germany registered the highest growth rates for iOS while South Korea and Sweden had the highest growth rates for Android.

Over all, Localytics saw a total increase of 12.5 times more iOS devices over the weekend. Although the iPhone is still the most popular iOS device by far, the strong growth of iPad and iPod touch certainly contributed. In the US, Localytics registered 21x more iPods compared to 14x more iPhones.

Android finished in a virtual tie with a 12x increase over the same period. However, at least in terms of recent growth, Android appears to now lead Apple iOS in a greater number of markets, despite a number of legal battles between manufacturers.

Android saw the strongest relative growth in South Korea, besting the iOS family by over 80%. Sweden and Japan followed with new Android device growth 45% to 50% ahead of Apple iOS. Apple maintained a lead in new device growth in six markets; US, Germany, Great Britain (UK), Italy and Malaysia.

More details and chart are available at 
http://www.localytics.com/blog/2011/holiday-ios-android-growth .