Shock: Windows Phone 8 does pretty well

Microsoft missed out on the smartphone gravy train, but now it seems as if Windows Phone 8 might have a bright future after all. 

According to Kantar Worldpanel, Windows Phone 8 now has a 5.6 percent market share in the US, gaining 1.9 percent compared to the same period last year. Android remains the top selling platform with a 49.3 percent share, while iOS ranks second with a 43.7 percent share.

Windows Phone 8 is doing well in European markets and it seems to be attracting a lot of first time smartphone buyers.

For some reason the company that missed out on the smartphone revolution is appealing to consumers who did likewise. 

It turns out that 52 percent of consumers who picked up a Windows smartphone had previously owned a feature phone.

In contrast, 55 percent of iOS customers and 51 Android customers are coming from another smartphone.