Research from In-Stat has shown that smartphones are
becoming the device of choice in the mobile device market in the
US.
The research firm says that as categories of
mobile devices converge, there are four primary types of
productivity tools: the ultra-mobile PC (UMPC); the
mobile Internet device (MID); smartphones; and smartphones with
mobile companions. Many employees expect to purchase these devices
for themselves, rather than their employer supply these
productivity tools.
The clear winner in In-Stat’s recent survey of US users was the
smartphone, either alone or with a mobile companion. Nearly half of
the respondents chose the benefits and capabilities associated with
smartphones. Fewer than 10% indicated a preference for the
capabilities of MIDs.
"Helping the smartphone's chances for success are the established
and successful channels of distribution and the fact that the
actual pricing of this solution is somewhat less than end-user
expectations," explained Bill Hughes, In-Stat analyst. "That
smartphones are established as a valuable solution today makes the
sales process easier than for the other mobile device options."
The research also found that mobile companions for smartphones
are also popular, but users have unrealistically low expectations
for pricing. Indeed, the main objection for non-users of mobile
data technology in general and smartphones in particular, is that
users are sceptical of the
benefits of mobile data and view it as a "luxury." At the same
time, they tend to overestimate the actual cost of smartphones.
About a quarter of users liked the idea of the ultra-mobile PC,
as long as it did not involve sacrificing the capabilities of a
full-function laptop. Those showing an interest in MIDs were
unclear about how they would use these devices or where to buy
them.