The consumer demand for smartphones is growing rapidly and will push annual sales worldwide from 131 million units in 2008 to over 300 million by 2013, according to the latest market study by Parks Associates.
The assessment finds people are attracted to these converged devices because they combine applications into a mobile platform, which can then be expanded incrementally -- with new and unique add-ons and applications.
"Consumers have a personal connection to their mobile phones," said Harry Wang , Director, Health and Mobile Product Research, Parks Associates.
Applications like T-Mobile's Sherpa will learn from its user's preferences in order to make personalized, location-based recommendations on restaurants and shops. The latest iPhone release is also making a strong case for mobile video.
Smartphone users worldwide will top 1.1 billion in 2013, creating a lucrative market for mobile service providers and mobile phone application developers.
"The success of the iPhone, Pre, and Blackberry shows the strength of consumer demand for an intelligent, multi-functional device," Wang said.
The appeal of the smartphone will create significant new revenue streams for carriers and developers, who could create new service bundles that build off this mobile platform with converged video, voice, and data applications.
Apparently, they're launching a new consumer study to explore smartphone service and application usage patterns, handset feature and function requirements, and customer expectations for the mobile content and service experience.
The assessment finds people are attracted to these converged devices because they combine applications into a mobile platform, which can then be expanded incrementally -- with new and unique add-ons and applications.
"Consumers have a personal connection to their mobile phones," said Harry Wang , Director, Health and Mobile Product Research, Parks Associates.
Applications like T-Mobile's Sherpa will learn from its user's preferences in order to make personalized, location-based recommendations on restaurants and shops. The latest iPhone release is also making a strong case for mobile video.
Smartphone users worldwide will top 1.1 billion in 2013, creating a lucrative market for mobile service providers and mobile phone application developers.
"The success of the iPhone, Pre, and Blackberry shows the strength of consumer demand for an intelligent, multi-functional device," Wang said.
The appeal of the smartphone will create significant new revenue streams for carriers and developers, who could create new service bundles that build off this mobile platform with converged video, voice, and data applications.
Apparently, they're launching a new consumer study to explore smartphone service and application usage patterns, handset feature and function requirements, and customer expectations for the mobile content and service experience.