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 Despite declining mobile handsets sales in 2009, smartphones continue to represent the fastest growing and most profitable segment of the mobile handset market. Informa Telecoms & Media forecasts that volume sales of these devices are to grow by 33.5% year-on-year in 2009 and by 36% in 2010. However, the importance of the smartphone segment is underlined by the fact that, although they will only account for 27% of the total number of handsets sold in 2010, they will represent over half (55%) of the value of the total mobile handset market and almost two thirds (64%) in terms of profitability.
"The strong volume growth rate and high smartphone ASPs (average selling prices) make this the most profitable segment in the current mobile phone market. In 2010, we expect profits from smartphones to represent an impressive 64% of total mobile handset market profits. As demand for mid-tier handsets declines, competition in the smartphone segment is set to intensify which is forcing manufacturers to innovate and differentiate their products in terms of hardware, software and content," commented Malik Kamal-Saadi, Principal Analyst at Informa Telecoms & Media and co-author of Future Mobile Handsets report.
Attracted by the high volume growth and strong profit margins, many new entrants have entered or are entering the market. Volume market leaders like Nokia, Samsung, LG, Motorola and Sony Ericsson, are being challenged by RIM, Apple, HTC and Palm.
Telefónica O2 Ireland has launched a new business blog the 'ideas room', to provide a platform for small and medium sized businesses to talk, exchange ideas and have discussions on different topics. "With the 'O2 ideas room' we want to create an online community where businesses, large and small, can access free expert information of value to their organisation but also contribute to the blog themselves, either through online discussions or by posting an article", commented Jonnie Cahill, Head of Communications & Sponsorship, Telefónica O2 Ireland.
Nokia is planning to re-launch its mobile applications store this spring. Nokia admitted it had failed to challenge Apple’s leading position on the mobile phone applications segment. George Linardos, head of products at Nokia’s media group, said the main complains were on stability and reliability of the service. “We have screens up in our offices running the Twitter feeds all day long,” he added. “It’s like sitting there and getting punched in the face. But when we make improvements we see the impact instantly.”
Virtual Mobile Application Development (VMAD) – Dublin based tech company has created anti-bullying software for mobile phones. Bully Stop prevents bullies from bullying your child or teenager with phone calls, Texts (SMS), Sexting, MMS (picture messages) messages.
The application is available for download for Nokia phones and the Samsung S60 series while versions for the iPhone, Android devices, Windows Mobile, LG, Sony Ericsson and Motorola are in development and will be available in the next few weeks.
Bully Stop has been approved by Trinity College Dublin's Anti Bullying Centre.
Google has unveiled its new mobile phone, the Nexus One. The device will run on Google's Android operating system and features enhanced voice control, with a voice-enabled keyboard for all text fields, including e-mail, Twitter updates and Facebook posts. Google also announced its own store for selling the phone, which is available SIM-free. Users can also buy the device with a service plan through one of Google's partner phone networks. The phone is not yet available to buy in Ireland.
 Irish Times reported that Iarnrod Eireann is to test a wireless internet service for passengers on its Dublin to Cork route, starting in February. Commuters with laptops or mobile phones will be able to access the Internet using Wi-Fi.
The government's emergency task force is looking at the possibility of using text messages to warn the public of looming national disasters. The task force met with mobile phone operators to see if it could send out texts urging people to turn off their taps to conserve water supplies, communications minister Eamon Ryan. His spokeswoman said that "preliminary discussion with the industry indicated that this is not a simple task and that the infrastructure is not designed to broadcast short message service (SMS) messages simultaneously to all users of the mobile phone network”. The task force, will continue talks with the mobile phone companies to overcome those problems, so everyone could be contacted directly in case of emergency.
Nokia has announced that the new version of Ovi Maps with free walk and drive navigation have been downloaded over 1.4 million times within the first two weeks since the release. "We're averaging a download a second, 24 hours a day," said Anssi Vanjoki, Executive Vice President, Nokia. "When we announced free walk & drive navigation we knew it would be a game-changer. The number of people now using their Nokia for navigation, and as a result looking for more location-aware software, is growing faster than even we predicted."
"There is a huge appetite for GPS navigation on mobile phones. We estimate there were already 25.9 million people actively using GPS navigation on their mobile phones at the end of 2009," said Chris Jones, VP & Principal Analyst at research firm Canalys.
T wenty-four telecoms operators have joined forces to create an open platform that will allow app developers to reach all mobile users. The Wholesale Applications Community will create a platform that will allow the distribution of software to phones, regardless of the technology they use or who manufactures them. Telefonica and Vodafone are among those backing the idea. Although all mobile manufacturers offer their own app stores, but Apple now dominates the app market. More than 3 billion apps were downloaded from its App Store in 18 months.
Windows Phone 7 Series
Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft have announced new generation of Windows phones: “In a crowded market filled with phon es that look the same and do the same things, I challenged the team to deliver a different kind of mobile experience. Windows Phone 7 Series marks a turning point toward phones that truly reflect the speed of people’s lives and their need to connect to other people and all kinds of seamless experiences.” The first Windows Phone 7 series handset will come on the market later on this year.
Samsung Wave
Samsung has officially announced the Samsung Wave – first handset with new OS – Brada, featuring a super AMOLED 3.3” display, powerful 1 GHz processor, Support for DivX/XviD, virtual 5.1 surround sound, WiFi, GPS and SatNav application with 3D maps – all in sleek and contemporary design. Please visit Samsung’s website for more info: http://wave.samsungmobile.com/
The Company wishes to confirm that Derek McDonald, our former CEO and Business Development Director, has left the Company to pursue other interests. The Company wishes to express its thanks to Derek for his efforts over the years and wishes him every success for the future.
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New Ovi Store
Bully Stop
New Google Phone
New Ovi Maps with free navigation
