Worldwide Wi-Fi voice over IP (VoIP) handset revenue totalled $54.7 million in 2004 and the number of units shipped reached 143,000, according to a new report from Infonetics Research. It also predicts strong growth at least through to 2009 as steady adoption of voice over Wi-Fi continues. Infonetics has found that worldwide dual-mode Wi-Fi/cellular handset revenue hit $6.7 million in 2004, adding that Wi-Fi capability will eventually become a common feature in mobile phones, just as it is becoming standard in laptops today. Although Wi-Fi VoIP handsets represent a small market at present, it has great potential. In logistics and healthcare verticals in particular, voice over wireless local area networks is already gaining momentum and is likely to become widespread throughout the enterprise as VoIP and wireless LAN adoption continue. The Infonetics report suggests that there is potential for enormous growth in the consumer space, as VoIP services and wireless gateways are bundled with a broadband connection. It says that more dual-mode Wi-Fi/cellular handsets will reach the market, enabling enterprise users to roam across 3G networks, home networks, corporate wireless LANs, and Wi-Fi hotspots.
Technology is a compelling catalyst for economic growth across the globe. Artificial intelligence (AI) rides a seismic wave of transformation in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region — a market bolstered by bold government initiatives, swelling pools of capital, and vibrant tech ambition. The latest IDC analysis sheds light on this dynamic market. Despite a contraction in deal volumes through 2024, total AI venture funding surged to an impressive $15.4 billion — a signal of the region’s resilience and the maturation of its digital-native businesses (DNBs). Asia-Pacific AI Market Development The APAC AI sector’s funding story is not just about headline numbers but also about how and where investments are shifting. Even as the number of deals slowed, the aggregate value of investments climbed, reflecting a preference among investors for fewer but larger, high-potential bets on mature or highly scalable AI enterprises. The information technology sector led the AI investment charge. Top area...