Users want handheld computing devices, including personal digital
assistants (PDAs), to incorporate a greater variety of
functions.
But developing a single handheld device that can perform diverse
functions, such as making phone calls and managing one's schedule
and contacts, has proven difficult for vendors. Many users now
prefer to carry two or more specialised devices (such as a mobile
phone and a PDA) instead, according to Weili Su, senior analyst for
smart handheld devices at International Data Corporation
(IDC).
"Users are looking for devices to do more," said Su at the Computex
show yesterday. "The bar has been raised."
A majority of users surveyed by IDC have said they would prefer a
single device that combined the function of a phone with that of a
personal information manager, Su said, adding that vendors must
include these functions in a device that is small, affordable and
easy to use.
One example of how vendors are trying to meet this demand is
through the introduction of smart phones, such as Microsoft's
Stinger platform, which is based on Windows CE 3.0, and Symbian's
Crystal smart-phone reference design. Both Stinger and Crystal
incorporate e-mail, calendar and Web browsing functions in a mobile
phone.
But while smart phones may address the increased functionality
users crave, they must come to grips with the reality that
third-generation (3G) mobile telecommunication services are not
going to live up to vendor hype, Su said, explaining that 3G data
services are likely to be expensive and slower than expected due to
network capacity constraints.
Overall, the worldwide market for PDAs and other handheld computing
devices is expected to grow substantially in coming years, vendors
will face growing competition from new form factors, more
competitors and the challenge of breaking into the mass consumer
market, in addition to the challenge of meeting users'
expectations, Su said.
"What was once a market of one dominating vendor is now being
pushed forward by several strong players," said Su, citing the
recent success of Microsoft's Pocket PC platform and the Blackberry
RIM device in penetrating the market for handheld computing
devices, which has been dominated in recent years by Palm.
Contact IDC at
http://www.idc.com .