Andy Sjostrom
09-11-2003, 08:10 AM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.canalys.com/pr/r2003092.htm' target='_blank'>http://www.canalys.com/pr/r2003092.htm</a><br /><br /></div>Research firm <a href="http://www.canalys.com">Canalys</a> recently released a study of the imaging phone market, ie the market of mobile phones with integrated cameras. Shipments of these phones are growing rapidly and Canalys analysts say: "Operators are obviously keen to get low-priced imaging handsets into the hands of as many consumers as possible. For them, the priority is generating MMS messaging revenue, not selling expensive phones, and the smaller Asian vendors are also more willing to allow the operators to control branding on the device," said Chris Jones, Canalys director and senior analyst. "So far, Nokia and Sony Ericsson are defending their positions well in this emerging segment, but it's important they do not take this leadership for granted."<br /><br />The report's highlights include:<br />• EMEA imaging phone shipments in Q2 2003 up 166% on Q1 2003<br />• Nokia overall leader with 42.6% share, from Sony Ericsson on 22.1%<br />• High-end smart phones now competing with many lower priced alternatives<br /><br />A few interesting remarks in the report that I think is applicable to Microsoft Smartphones: "Association with the heavily promoted Vodafone Live! has certainly boosted the performance of Sharp and Panasonic in the first half of the year, but Canalys also warns operators not to underestimate the power of the leading mobile phone brands. ... One vendor noticeable by its absence from the leading pack is Motorola, though this comes as no surprise to senior analyst Andy Buss: "The fascination with integrated digital cameras began in Japan and has now come to Europe. The US trails the rest of the world in this regard and this is bound to influence the product designs of US-led companies. A mobile phone is a fashion statement, not just a functional piece of telecoms equipment. Phones with add-on cameras may be functional, even flexible, but they are simply not as stylish as the leading integrated models. The Asian and European companies realised this early on and are seeing the benefits."<br /><br />It is increasingly important to continue to strengthen mobile operator partnerships and it is a do-or-die nescessity to catch up and overtake brand device makers from an innovation point of view.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/canalys_02.gif" alt="User submitted image" title="User submitted image"/>