In-Stat says that smartphones represent about 10 percent of the wireless market today and expected to reach 25 percent of the global market in five years. And despite a stated desire to reduce the number of gadgets they carry, many users carry devices with redundant applications, notes In-Stat.
"Wireless manufacturers have more work to do before converged phones start taking market share from other devices instead of just complementing their sales," says Bill Hughes, In-Stat analyst. "Users want a number of feature improvements including better keyboards, automatic synching with other devices, applications that have the same look and feel as on other devices, and expandable screens."
Other analysts, in particular IDC, have highlighted a
growing trend away from standalone handheld devices toward "converged devices" such as smartphones. Canalys has also noted the
rising fortunes of converged devices, and ABI
predicted in February that 2006 would be the year when smartphones advance beyond early adopters and into the mainstream, attaining around 15 percent share of the mobile phone market.
In-Stat says its report, "Converged Devices: SmartPhones vs. Laptops and PDAs in Business Markets," includes a five-year forecast for smartphone shipments and analysis of the "drivers and barriers affecting the market" along with the results of a consumer survey regarding use of and attitudes toward SmartPhones. Additional information on the research is available
here.
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