According to
a new survey, many consumers are opting for smartphones over handhelds. Additionally, Nokia has overtaken PalmOne as the top seller of "mobile computers" for the 1st quarter of '04.
Nokia's ascent comes from sales of its smartphones which, like handhelds, offer personal organisers and can be loaded with different types of software. Nokia sold 1.67 million smartphones, up from 900,000 a year earlier. The total market grew by 41% to 5.93 million units, while global shipments of smartphone products more than doubled. Shipments of handheld computers made by the likes of PalmOne and Hewlett-Packard remained virtually flat, with PO holding a substantial share advantage over HP.
Until about 18 months ago, Nokia only participated in the mobile computing market with its bulky Communicator, but its Series 60 software has brought advanced software and features to much smaller and lighter models.
Having recently obtained a smartphone myself, I can honestly say that I'll never give up my pda. The availability of software for smartphones is stifling, and data input is difficult at best. The draw for me was the deal I got from my wireless carrier -- I made $75 for upgrading my phone and switching providers.