Conventional wireless industry marketing wisdom is that consumers seek a 'single wireless device' with multiple capabilities built into the handset, however, studies show that most users willingly carry redundant hand-held devices, reports In-Stat.
For instance, more than 15 percent of people carry two wireless mobile phones, the high-tech market research firm says. The myth of the converged mobile device appears to be perpetuated by technology-centric vendors who have little awareness -- or real interest -- in the discovery of substantive need and associated market demand.
"Eighty percent of the people that have a camera phone say they regularly carry their digital camera, 75 percent of SmartPhone users also carry a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), and more than 50 percent of users of multimedia phones also carry their MP3 player," says Bill Hughes, In-Stat analyst. "It is important to understand this customer behavior if the wireless industry is to offer commercially successful solutions."
In-Stat's study found the following:
- Only 43 percent of the respondents to an In-Stat survey, all of whom are business users, stated that higher productivity would be obtained with a SmartPhone.
- Many wireless users consider the additional capabilities offered within a wireless device to be a gift for becoming or remaining a subscriber, and not as a tool that is enhanced with real-time data.
- Almost half the respondents believe that they will carry fewer devices by owning a SmartPhone. Regardless, most choose to carry a separate PDA device.
For instance, more than 15 percent of people carry two wireless mobile phones, the high-tech market research firm says. The myth of the converged mobile device appears to be perpetuated by technology-centric vendors who have little awareness -- or real interest -- in the discovery of substantive need and associated market demand.
"Eighty percent of the people that have a camera phone say they regularly carry their digital camera, 75 percent of SmartPhone users also carry a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), and more than 50 percent of users of multimedia phones also carry their MP3 player," says Bill Hughes, In-Stat analyst. "It is important to understand this customer behavior if the wireless industry is to offer commercially successful solutions."
In-Stat's study found the following:
- Only 43 percent of the respondents to an In-Stat survey, all of whom are business users, stated that higher productivity would be obtained with a SmartPhone.
- Many wireless users consider the additional capabilities offered within a wireless device to be a gift for becoming or remaining a subscriber, and not as a tool that is enhanced with real-time data.
- Almost half the respondents believe that they will carry fewer devices by owning a SmartPhone. Regardless, most choose to carry a separate PDA device.