Mobile Handsets & Devices
Keys to success are elusive for iPhone apps developers
IPhone application developers don’t need to offer an inexpensive iPhone app in order to make a dent in the marketplace, but, that said, it’s sometimes the simplest applications that derive the most high-profile attention.
Those were two of the lessons I learned at the 360iDev conference last week. The 225 or so attendees at this event, held in Denver, appeared to be acolytes of Apple CEO Steve Jobs (though that is exactly how one attendee said he did not want to be described). For the most part, they didn’t seem interested in developing apps for Google’s Android OS, Windows Mobile, Palm’s webOS or anything without the Apple brand on it. Read more »
Download the Executive Summary from our Financial Crisis report
No one is immune to the current economic downturn - even mobile operators are now starting to see an impact on their businesses and customer base. Read more »
Download the Executive Summary from our Mobile Operating Systems report
The decline in new handset sales that we are expecting will lead to increased competition and pressure on costs. As a result, the growing power of software in enabling device features and applications will see it play a pivotal role in the smartphone market, which we predict will grow by 30% in 2009. Read more »
Network APIs moment of truth: Are there revenue opportunities?
Open network APIs are arguably the most publicized alternative business model to the traditional voice, SMS and data operator offering. Network APIs are enablers for a variety of business models, including operator branded application stores, two sided business models, web mashups and developer communities. However, as Tier 1 operators continue to announce API initiatives, there is confusion in the market regarding their revenue potential and whether operators should deviate from the traditional voice or bit pipe paradigm to become smart pipes and third party service enablers. Read more »
Informa Telecoms & Media launches the NEW Intelligence Centre
We are extremely pleased to unveil the new Intelligence Centre, which includes enhancements to the structure of our content, the search functionality and the introduction of over 2500 dedicated company and country overviews. Read more »
Shipment growth in 2Q09 reassures mobile handset industry
The recent 2Q09 earnings results of the world’s top five handset vendors by volume showed a quarter-on-quarter growth of 12.1% in shipment numbers, led by LG, Samsung and Nokia. With channel inventory reduced to more normal levels, prospects for continued quarterly growth in 2H09 have improved. However, challengers such as ZTE could displace Motorola or Sony Ericsson while they restructure. Meanwhile, Nokia is increasingly focusing on value. Read more »
Apple fiscal Q309 results: iPhone 3G S performing well as iPod sales decrease
The headline grabbing announcement from Apple’s results on Tuesday was that iPhone sales had grown 626% year on year to 5.2 million. Although statistically correct, one year ago Apple were consciously ramping down sales of the iPhone 2G in advance of the iPhone 3G launch. Nevertheless, the company from Cupertino can take a number of positives from the iPhone’s recent performance:
- Sales of the iPhone 3G S were strong, registering over 1 million sales within three days of its launch on 19th June,
- Although as yet unquantified it seems that the reduced retail price of the iPhone 3G at least created increased consumer interest and probably increased sales
- The now customary shortages of the latest iPhone seem likely to continue into next quarter while the company looks to extend its distribution from 18 to 80 countries.
The positive iPhone performance is important for Apple given the drop in iPod volume sales, in part due to Apple’s decision to reduce channel inventory and from the maturing MP3 player market being cannibalized by both the iPod Touch and the iPhone. Reassuringly iPod Touch sales also performed “extremely well” in the quarter.
Verizon Wireless netbook flags sky-high US mobile broadband prices
Verizon Wireless is the latest US mobile operator to move into mobile broadband netbooks, following AT&T Mobility, but its sky-high prices don’t match the penny-pinching ethos of the netbook segment. In fact the Verizon deal costs $583 more than a similar deal in the UK, and highlights that the US has some of the highest mobile broadband prices in the world. Read more »
Apple’s content strategy for the Middle East betrays its roots in hardware
Apple’s iTunes Store and App Store are the envy of the digital-content industry. It would be fairly safe to say that wherever either has launched, it leads its market segment in number of downloads generated.
Read more »
Ericsson looks to jump ship from SonyEricsson as handset vendor’s fortunes go from bad to worse
The news that Ericsson is reportedly considering jumping ship from its device-manufacturing joint venture with Ericsson will not come as much of a surprise to most of the industry. Ericsson is thought to be keen to offload the 50% stake to partner Sony, however given the imperilled financial state of the company, such a sale could prove difficult. Read more »
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