Smartphones are the most dynamic and interesting segment among mobile devices. They also are the fastest growing and lead to the most profit for wireless operators, manufacturers, and applications developers. Experienced users and businesses are moving to this technology as entry level hardware prices drop. Smartphone users are experiencing significant value from their smartphones. As a result, they are downloading more applications and generating higher ARPUs.
While the segment will grow, it will not be evenly distributed among the six smartphone operating systems currently in use, nor is the growth of any OS predestined to succeed. Each has a very different approach to serving this market segment and there are many potential pitfalls.
The greatest factors for success are to have a vibrant developer ecosystem and effective standards committees. This report identifies the merits of these plans and closely examines the US market for smartphones.
