From 2007 to 2010 there has been a gradual move in the cellphone market towards the use of smart phones. Most cell phone buyers are no longer satisfied with text messaging and the free ringtone that comes pre-installed in a lower end phone model.
Since 2007, the mobile market has been seeing significant growth. As of 2010, there are over 40 million smart phones in the United States. Some familiar with the market believe that it is the innovative phones that caused the continued growth. Others argue that consumer’s adoption of mobile products is being fueled by the widespread availability of mobile internet connectivity. A related factor is the ever growing number of mobile applications and the growing number of websites that distribute theses applications.
The true value of smart phones is that they allow access to an almost unlimited amount of internet content. The critical item for the largest players in the mobile space appears to be an operating system that can interface with the mobile web and provides efficient access to content. The value of mobile applications to the ecosystem cannot be underestimated. In the summer of 2010, Apple had over 220,000 downloadable applications and the number continues to grow. From banking applications that let you check your balance on the phone rather than receiving a paper statement, to news applications that save trees by reducing the amount of newsprint, mobile applications aren’t just good for wireless companies; they also have a positive impact on the environment.
It is not just the major players, however, that drive the mobile space. Any large market will have a number of niche players. The mobile market is no exception and its growth will continue to attract innovators who will cater to the voracious appetite of consumers for mobile content.
