SmartPhones Beat PDAs

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- According a consumer survey, more users of SmartPhones reported that these devices are essential to their business than the users of PDAs or laptops, reports In-Stat (http://www.in-stat.com). But this does not mean that there will be automatic acceptance of SmartPhones and widespread replacement of PDAs and laptops, the high-tech market research firm says.

"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."

Recent research by In-Stat found the following:

- SmartPhones represent about 10% of the wireless phone market today. This will grow to 25% of the overall global market over the next five years. - In many cases, users carry devices that have redundant applications. This behavior is in spite of the desire to have fewer devices. - Wireless phone manufacturers can offer consumers more options on a single platform with SmartPhones. This reduces costs across the board.

The research, "Converged Devices: SmartPhones vs. Laptops and PDAs in Business Markets" (#IN0602914MBM), covers the worldwide market for SmartPhones. It includes the results of In-Stat consumer survey regarding use of and attitudes toward SmartPhones. It also contains a five-year forecast for SmartPhone shipments and analysis of the drivers and barriers affecting the market. This research complements the recent report on overall trends for mobile devices in the report "The Big Trends for Cell Phones, 2006-2011" (#IN0602922WH).

In-Stat