A new report from industry luminary ABI Research indicates that more than 50% of all unlocked cell phones will be capable of running on 4G or 3G data networks. Jake Saunders, VP of Forecasting for ABI Research suggests that . “As the festive cheer of the holiday season dies away, the mood among handset vendors remains quietly confident regarding 2012. The outlook will yield growth in the order of 8%, netting 1.67 billion handsets shipped worldwide by the end of 2012. Particularly notable is for the first time, 3G and 4G handset shipments will capture more than 50% of total handsets shipped.” The consumer’s appetite for high end mobile devices will also drive the after sales cell phone and tablet accessories market.
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In an earlier report ABI Research identified the worldwide after-market wireless devices accessories sales increasing to more than $50 Billion by 2015. Key accessory market indicators were identified as:
In the second half of 2011, top tier mobile device vendors unleashed marketing promotions targeting the upward mobile market audience in emerging smartphone and table markets. Samsung, used clever ads downgrading Apple users while extolling the benefits of the Galaxy S II X phones and Galaxy Tablet lines of business to make substantial inroads into these market spaces. Apple is expanding sales channels in emerging markets, with greater success in China than it’s having in India, but is also targeting South American markets such as Brazil. HTC is gaining traction in China, but developed markets such as North America and Europe continue to be the mainstay of its “ship into” markets. RIM, despite its weakness in apps-capable smartphone markets, continues to do well in messaging-centric emerging markets such as Indonesia. Nokia hopes to benefit from Windows Phone 7 Lumia series launches in India (Dec-2011) and China (in 1Q-2012).
The changing of the guard from one year to the next brings inevitable changes. This is especially true with mobile technology which is arguably one of the most competitive and innovative segments of the tech industry as traditional feature phones and carriers are challenged with smartphone technologies and apps and unlocked phones.
So even if you keep half an ear to the latest happenings in this niche of the world market, there is a plethora of information, rumors, and announcements to keep track of. To help make the focus more manageable, here are a few noteworthy notices to kick off your 2012 mobile tech watch.
First, the continuing saga of the king of feature phones as it endeavors to make its mark in a smartphone world: Nokia. The mobile OS this manufacturer chose for its foray into smartphones is Symbian. Clearly this pairing didn’t fare well in the global marketplace. As a farewell gesture that is bound to drive the final nail in the coffin of Symbian, Nokia has opted to rebrand its latest smartphone as Nokia Belle. No Symbian to be mentioned in association again it seems. Perhaps the best rebranding for Nokia would be launching a new tablet featuring its next mobile OS choice.
Not to be left out, Google Android is bound to make this list. And, it is no surprise that it is causing waves with its much-buzzed-about OS upgrade: Ice Cream Sandwich. Global rollouts of this Android 4.0 update were supposed to have begun for Nexus S customers a few days ago, but according to the Google Community Manager, Paul Wilcox, announced that they are pausing updates to better monitor feedback for a while (this sounds oddly familiar to CarrierIQ scandal which highlighted the benefits of customers choosing unlocked devices).
On a more positive note for Google, they are now globally activating approximately 700,000 Android devices daily. The company’s willingness to work with many manufacturers (creating more opportunities for customers to choose carrier neutral unlocked phones), is significantly contributing to their continued growth around the world.
To follow on the heels of Google’s customer driven philosophy, carriers are having to fight the loss of their exclusivity on smartphones, tablets and accessories by dropping their prices. Recent reports show that 4G LTE pricing may drop by as 60% by 2016 as the additional speeds aren’t worth the cost for heavy users and the carrier specific devices that enable 4G are markedly more expensive than their 3G counterparts as well.
On a personal note, my mother is a literature junkie. So, it is no surprise that on their cross country jaunts to visit over the holidays she loads up her smartphone with audio book downloads before hitting the road. As we discussed my newest iPad 2 tabletacquisition and simultaneously recounted the wonderful rendition of Austenland, she insisted I download the audio book app and log in under her name to download it. Just a few short minutes later, the file was available. Her response was “wow. I am seriously impressed at how fast you were able to download and store it without needing additional memory storage cards.”
And, in this world of instant gratification, speed is king. Especially on our mobile browsers. So which smartphone manufacturer has the need for speed? This is an excellent question considering the varying strengths of these smartphone players. Android is the bees knees in the LTE support category. iOS has the top of the line dual-core A5 chip to tout its excellence. And, Windows Phone has the IE mobile browser that kicks it into beast mode. Leaving your valuable mobile devices unprotected is risky! Discover the latest innovative protection solutions… stylish top brand bags, sleeves and casesspecifically designed to protect your devices from scratches and blemishes. Tough on the outside, sweet on the inside these brand name protection accessories combine complete device coverage with sleek artistic expression.
This question may already be answered YouTube video posted below – which compares the Lumia 800, iPhone 4S and iPhone 4 (running on the iOS version 4.3). Put through a gauntlet of Browsermark, Speed Reading, Sunspider, Acid 3, and HTML5 tests… you will be surprised to find which device was the hands down winner. Experience the mind blowing clarity of XMI Speakers. Uncompromised sound quality and a revolutionary design accentuating today’s interactive lifestyle. Our earpieces and headsets combine sophisticated style and precision engineering that deliver brilliant sound for your total listening pleasure
It was no contest…the iPhone 4S was beyond the best performance. This is really no surprise when considering what is powering these phones. Nokia’s Lumia 800 has a single core processor which could not keep up with iPhone 4S’s dual core A5 chip. Great news for media junkies and browsers alike… as well as for book lovers like myself, worthy of buying a new pair of headphones for some superior lit listening. Enhance your mobility and turn your device into a power tool! Discover select accessories such as; stylus & pens, micro SD memory cards, batteries, docking stations, Bluetooth headsets, data cables and glider gloves all specifically designed to make your devices functionally efficient and performance rich.
There were, however, a few instances where Window’s Phone 7’s mobile browser overpowered the Safari browser on the iPhone 4’s iOS 4.3. That matchup is a bit questionable when taking into account the older version of iOS that the device was running. The question of carrier grade 3G or 4G speeds and availability may affect this as well. This is another great point for unlocked cell phones which empower customer to break free from service provider long term contracts and negotiate a service plan that better meets their unique lifestyle needs at lower costs.
As in any kind of real world testing, the results are not are controlled or predictable, but it can still be said that Apple produces a great smartphone that appeals to the mobile browser speed fiends out there.
The Finnish mobile device manufacturer, Nokia, has not found much success moving from their popular feature phones to the smartphone market. Nokia cell phone’s Symbian OS platform has proven to be no match for Android or iOS. So, in a move that clearly shows their intention to abandon ship, Nokia is dropping the platform and renaming its latest phone Nokia Belle. This effort to catch up with its contemporaries on the technology level adds some zing to the 2012 speculation. Will the adoption of a new platform include the release of a powerful, competitive tablet?
Google Pumps the Brakes on ICS update for Nexus S
Buzz around the Android 4.0 (ICS) upgrade has brought the anticipation level to high pitch for Samsung Nexus S users around the world. The roll out of the update began a few days ago but has been unexpectedly paused in a multitude of regions. The Google Community Manager, Paul Wilcox, let the masses know in a forum post that the update release for those regions were stopped for the moment as they needed to have feedback monitored. These customers may need to indulge in new mobile accessories to fill the gap as they wait for their update. Enhance your mobility and turn your device into a power tool! Discover select accessories, such as stylus & pens, SD Micro memory cards, batteries, speakers and glider gloves all specifically designed to make your devices functionally efficient and performance rich.
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Pricing for LTE speculated to significantly drop by 2016
New technology is always more expensive. In return, customers get to be a part of the elite club of users, show off their new toys to contemporaries, and bask in the light of innovation. And then, as it becomes more cost effective to manufacture and sell, the prices drop and the technology is made more widely available to the masses. This is the projected case for the 4G LTE networks. Industry leaders indicate that the monthly price for the zippy fast networks should drop approximately 60% by 2016. At the moment 4G LTE handsets are more costly than their 3G counterparts and the pricing structure for 4G data plans through carriers is so expensive that those users inclined to ditch their cable for the 4G will be waiting for the prices to decline even more. In the interim, customers are better served to invest their money in extra desktop chargers or top of the line Bluetooth headsets as well earpieces and headphones.
700,000 Android Devices Activated by Google daily
Google and Apple have their horns locked. Each claims to be the best. Statistics are thrown around to tout their dominance. Stats like those shared by Google’s Director of Mobile Platforms, Andy Rubin , earlier this week. According to him, Google is now seeing a rate of 700,000 unique Android smartphone activations on a daily basis. Their app, accessory, and tablet sales are not nearly so dominant, but that may change in 2012. More and more consumers are letting trend setting fashionable accessories express their unique style! Discover an extensive array of award-wining design protective cases and skins deliver modern style, stunning design and smart protection. Make your mobile devices stand out. Customize your look – how cool can you be?
As a typical profile… mobile consumers are highly socially engaged, remain continuously connected and rely more and more on their both carrier based or unlocked smartphone’s features and applications on a daily basis.
Smartphone penetration has seen a meteoric rise, spiraling from just 18% in late 2009 to 44% in October 2011. A recent ‘State of the Media: The Mobile Media Report‘ conducted by Nielsen indicates that 64% of 25-34 year olds and 53% of 18-24 year olds own a snmartphone and have led in smartphone penetration compared to every other age group since 2009. The individuals in these generation groups also understand that mobile accessories are designed to protect, personalize and enhance your mobile devices.
Some of the more popular smrtphones include the iPhone4s, Blackberry bold 9900, Samsung Galaxy S II and the Motorola Droid Razr. Apple is the top smartphone manufacturer by operating system with 28.6% of the market followed by Blackberry and HTC at 17% and 158% market share respectively. Android outdistanced every other smartphone platform with an ever-growing 42.8% market share… leading Apple iOS at 28.6%, Blackberry at 17% and Windows at a paltry 5.3% market share
A new report from industry luminary ABI Research indicates that more than 50% of all unlocked cell phones will be capable of running on 4G or 3G data networks. Jake Saunders, VP of Forecasting for ABI Research suggests that . “As the festive cheer of the holiday season dies away, the mood among handset vendors remains quietly confident regarding 2012. The outlook will yield growth in the order of 8%, netting 1.67 billion handsets shipped worldwide by the end of 2012. Particularly notable is for the first time, 3G and 4G handset shipments will capture more than 50% of total handsets shipped.” The consumer’s appetite for high end mobile devices will also drive the after sales cell phone and tablet accessories market.
