Digital Lifescapes

Bring your own device (BYOD) to work policies have already changed the mix of mobile phones being used in the workplace. ABI Research concluded that Samsung is the top ranked enterprise smartphone vendor, followed closely by Apple -- with BlackBerry rounding out the top three. The ABI vendor matrix ranks companies based on scoring in Implementation and Innovation categories. Nine smartphone OEMs were compared on eighteen criteria including workspace management solutions, partnerships and business customer adoption. Samsung's large and diversified partner network coupled with it being the first Google Android OEM to offer an integrated enterprise solution pushed the company to the number one spot. The vendor matrix score separating Samsung and Apple was less than a single point. Apple received extremely high marks in Implementation due to high iOS smartphone adoption by business users and because its smartphones are the most activated device within EMM/MDM platforms. Samsung...

The Google Android mobile device operating system reached a new milestone during the third quarter of 2013 (3Q13), according to the latest global market study by International Data Corporation (IDC). With a total base of 211.6 million smartphone units shipped during the quarter, Android accounted for 81.0 percent of all smartphone shipments -- marking the first time that Android topped 80 percent in its short history. Despite high saturation rates in a number of key mature markets, the overall smartphone space grew 39.9 percent year-over-year in the third quarter of 2013. Also reaching a milestone was Microsoft's Windows Phone, which grew by 156.0 percent year over year. Granted, volumes started from a small base of 3.7 million units a year ago and overall market share is still less than five percent. But Microsoft's efforts, with Nokia's support behind it, helped drive the platform into multiple tiers and price points. "Android and Windows Phone continued t...

The number of smartphone shipments reached 230 million in Q2 2013, representing a year-over-year growth of almost 50 percent from Q2 2012 and quarter-over-quarter growth of nearly 13 percent, according to the latest market study by Juniper Research . Samsung increased its smartphone market share by shipping an estimated 72 million smartphones and accounting for approximately 31 percent of all smartphone shipments in the quarter. Even though Samsung posted another record quarter in terms of device shipments, they admitted slowing sales of their high-end smartphones including the Galaxy S4, with quarterly growth driven by mid-low end smartphones. Samsung is estimated to have shipped 20 million Galaxy S4 in the first two months after its April 2013 launch, but subsequent sales are believed to have tailed off. iPhone Sales are Up, But Profits are Down Likewise, Apple boasted iPhone sales showing strong y-o-y growth – up by 20 percent to more than 31 million – but saw y-o-y profit...

The mobile communications sector continues to advance -- with new handheld devices driving mobile internet usage. Juniper Research estimates that the number of smartphone shipments reached almost 200 million in Q1 2013, representing a growth of 30 percent from the same quarter in 2012. Samsung increased its smartphone market share by shipping an estimated 68 million smartphones and accounting for approximately 34 percent of all smartphone shipments in the quarter. Samsung announced a steady pace in sales of the Galaxy SIII, and improved sales of the Note II for the quarter. However, despite profits falling for the first time in a decade for Apple, they posted better than expected iPhone sales at around 37.4 million -- that's 7 percent growth compared to the same quarter in 2012. With another product due soon, Juniper has joined other industry analysts who believe that Apple needs to innovate. The next product release must help Apple maintain their market position. Moreover...

Smartphone shipments exceeded 200 million units in Q4 2012, with the annual total reaching 671 million -- representing a growth of almost 42 percent year-over-year, according to the latest market study by Juniper Research . Samsung continued its phenomenal growth over the year shipping a record 63 million smartphones and accounting for over 30 percent of all smartphone shipments in the quarter. Once again, sales of the Galaxy S3 drove growth, with sales surpassing 40 million in November 2012. However, despite the holiday season boost and iPhone 5 sales, Apple posted lower than expected iPhone sales -- at around 47.8 million, but still a record quarter for the company. With Samsung leading the market, Juniper believes that Apple will need to continue focusing on innovation, while retaining its brand leadership. Meanwhile, Nokia shipped 6.6 million smart devices in the fourth quarter, with the new Lumia device line still to make a significant impact with shipments of 4.4 million....