The 21st century has seen a further boom and these days consumers want more from their mobile phones. Since the recent explosion in growth of social networking websites and applications, people require up-to-date information at their fingertips.
Year 2009 marked the beginning of the smartphone revolution with touchscreen technology being the primary driving trend in mobile phone devices for the industry. We're seeing a major shift towards smartphones in the Middle East and research findings show worldwide shipments of smartphones will surpass 390 million units by 2013.
Smartphones incorporate a wide range of everyday applications whether at home, on the move, or in the office. With constant connectivity, users can access live updates on the weather, use GPS navigation applications to pinpoint a certain venue, and arrange meetings through an interactive calendar, among other tasks, while on the move.
Consumers are in constant search for the ultimate connectivity; the true smartphone encompasses a social hub, open platform for application downloads as an Amoled display screen. Smartphones are a new trend that is beginning to revolutionise the concept we have of mobile phones, making them an essential part of our daily lives.
Smartphones have set a different set of standards for mobile phones to live up to. The smartphone is one device that can take care of all your handheld computing and communication needs in a single, small package. Because our lives today are becoming more and more fast-paced, efficient tools are required to keep pace. Smartphones have enabled us to have access to information everywhere and whenever, thanks to its portability feature. Compact and light, whether you are in a hurry for a business meeting, or on a vacation, the portability of the smartphone makes it possible for its user to never lose touch with the outside world.
Today, mobile phones are much more than simple communication devices, they have created a global network that allows individuals to always stay connected, updated with latest news and information.
In the UAE, the smartphone takes a 17 per cent market share in the total mobile phone sales, and continues to grow as consumers open up to the prospect of leading 'smarter' lives. By 2013, IDC forecasts that worldwide shipments of converged mobile devices (smartphones) will surpass 390 million units, growing at a CAGR of 20.9 per cent for the 2009-2013 periods. This growth will be driven by increasing demand for internet-based applications, open platforms and services such as Mobile Facebook, Twitter and MySpace, which enable the consumer to enjoy accessible and relevant mobile phone and internet browsing.
As smartphones grow in popularity and application stores become the focus for manufacturers, more consumers will experiment with application downloads; it is predicted that games will remain the number one application, with mobile shopping and social networking tools continuing to grow and attract consumers. Gartner Research indicates that smartphone consumers are likely to spend $6.2 billion (Dh22.76bn) on mobile applications in 2010, generating ad revenue of around $0.6bn throughout the world. Downloads are also expected to increase, exceeding 4.5 billion this year.
A major characteristic of smartphones compared to general mobile phones is their 'openness', which enables users to install desired whenever and wherever they want. However, smartphones have so far been limited to high specification products, resulting in only a small number of users.
Another rising trend is mobile social networking; studies show that consumers are increasingly looking to connect to social networking sites from their mobile phone; studies have confirmed that 55 to 60 million people globally use their mobile phones to access social network sites. It is expected that 18 per cent of mobile users will access social networks from their phones by 2012. New generation mobile phones provide unparalleled levels of convenience and flexibility with no cables or wires attached.
n-The writer is the general manager of mobile phones at Samsung Gulf Electronics. The views expressed are his own