Pete Paxton
02-06-2008, 03:00 PM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.canalys.com/pr/2008/r2008021.htm' target='_blank'>http://www.canalys.com/pr/2008/r2008021.htm</a><br /><br /></div><em>"The latest market data from analyst firm Canalys shows how much the converged device market (all smart phones and wireless handhelds) has grown over the past year. These, typically high-end, devices represented around 10% of the global mobile phone market by units in 2007, with annual growth of 60% making them one of the fastest growing segments of the technology industry. Year-on-year growth climbed every quarter throughout 2007, to reach a peak of 72% in Q4. Apple’s entry into this market in 2007 with the iPhone sparked a lot of media attention and speculation about how much it could disrupt the status quo and take share away from companies such as Nokia, RIM, Palm and Motorola. “When you consider that it launched part way through the year, with limited operator and country coverage, and essentially just one product, Apple has shown very clearly that it can make a difference and has sent a wakeup call to the market leaders. Canalys estimates that Apple took 28% share of the fast growing US converged device market in Q4 2007, behind RIM’s 41%, but a long way ahead of third placed Palm on 9%. This was also enough to put Apple ahead of all Windows Mobile device vendors combined, whose share was 21% in the quarter according to Canalys figures. In EMEA, where the iPhone officially launched part way through the quarter in only three countries, Apple took fifth spot behind Nokia, RIM, HTC and Motorola, but ahead of several established smart phone providers such as Sony Ericsson, Samsung and Palm."<br /><br /></em>Do these numbers surprise you? Palm sure has taken a dip eh? And what does this say about Windows Mobile? Where are they headed? I'm seriously curious, do you think Microsoft listens? Apple is now ahead of all Windows Mobile device vendors combined? It frustrates me that Windows Mobile device upgrades (like from WM5 to WM6) are so incremental. Do they have such a cash reserve that they don't feel the need to innovate? Do they have what it takes to really "wow" us? I'd love to hear from our readers on how they feel about where Windows Mobile is, where it's headed, and where you think it should go. Or perhaps you are content with where they are and where they're headed.