Quote:
|
Originally Posted by sUnShInE
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....
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. |
I don't think this booming market for smartphones will last as long as people think it will....
Right now, carriers have created an artificial demand for cell phones by forcing you to pretty much buy one every time you sign a long-term contract (which is about the only practical way to buy service in the US). Everyone thinks the phones are subsidized by the carrier, but forget the carrier pays big $$s for the phones by raising their rates on you. YOU are the one really paying for the phone, but you just don't see it.
In the long run, it's hard to imagine this artificial market barrier between carriers existing. Phones will be capable across markets and you'll be able to reprogram them. And service costs will be so competitive (even against VOIP) that they will be forced to reduce the expensive subsidizing of your phone hardware. When you have to pay $600 for that fancy phone, a traditional PDA is going to sound like a pretty good option!!!!