According to data published by comScore on Wednesday, Google Inc.’s (NASDAQ: GOOG) Android software managed to capture a major portion of the U.S. mobile smartphone market in the third quarter of 2010. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL), meanwhile, saw its market share remain flat, according to the data released by comScore. BlackBerry maker Research In Motion Limited (NASDAQ: RIMM) saw its share decline in the third quarter of 2010.

According to the comScore data, Google gained 6.5 percentage points to capture 21.4% of the smartphone market, Apple’s share in the smartphone market remained flat at 24.3%, and Research In Motion’s share slipped 2.8 percentage points to 37.3%.

The data from comScore highlights the threat Apple is currently facing in the smartphone market. Apple, with its iPhone, dominated the smartphone market over the last three years. However, it is facing an increasing threat from smartphones operating on the Android operating system.

The increasing competition from Android operated phones could impact Apple’s stock price, which has been climbing on the back of strong iPhone and iPad sales. This year, Apple stock gained more than 40%, driven by iPhone and iPad sales. The stock recently touched an all-time high of $319. In addition, Apple is now the second largest company in the world in terms of market capitalization.

Apple recently reported that the iPhone will be available on Verizon’s network. Analysts believe that this could results in 7 million more units in sales of iPhones for the Cupertino, California-based technology giant. The only bit of worry for Apple will be the increasing competition from Android operated smartphones. Moreover, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT) recently launched nine new smartphones, which could put further pressure on iPhone sales.

All these factors could weigh on Apple’s stock, which is currently trading at $312.80.

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