Mitch Cline
USA: According to investment bank Morgan Stanley, tablet computers are poised to become the fastest growing category of mobile device in history. And, adoption by corporate organizations may be faster and more widespread than expected. The bank’s report, “Tablet Demand and Disruption: Mobile Users Coming of Age,” notes that two-thirds of 50 chief information officers surveyed earlier this year expect within year to either purchase tablets for some of their employees or allow employees who owned tablets onto their networks.
To take full advantage of what tablets can offer in competitive advantage and delivering the highest possible returns on investment (ROI), it is vital that enterprises act now to address the opportunities and challenges ahead.
Tablets enable instant access to thousands of web-enabled applications. They are already demonstrating advantages in portability, convenience, ease of use and connectedness. They’re less intrusive than laptop PCs for retrieving information during a meeting and offer a superior reading and email experience compared to smartphones.
In the retail industry, sales assistants are finding tablet PCs easy-to-use tools with real-time updated catalogues, allowing for customization and on-the-spot ordering. Fitted with a card reader, the tablet can also serve as a mobile point-of-sale terminal. The ease with which a tablet can be cleaned makes it an ideal tool for healthcare professionals to carry around hospital wards and surgical environments where high standards of sterilization are critical. Tablet PCs are also proving increasingly to be the right tool for the job, whether on a construction site, in an operating room, at an oil refinery, or in an insurance company.
To integrate tablets successfully, enterprise decision makers need to take a careful look at the new hardware, software and support capabilities required. Issues to consider include ease of deployment, managing backup and data access, support, security, network complexity, device management, operating system diversity, total cost of ownership (TCO) and integration of various tablet platforms at the application, mobile device management process, and system level.
To achieve this synergy, three key organizational challenges must be overcome.
One: Applications
To maximize the value of tablets, organizations need to make key business applications widely available to the workforce. The benefits are clear. They offer an engaging, user-friendly and productive experience that improves mobility investment returns. The variety of applications ranges from Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) to many hundreds or thousands of corporate applications required to support business operations.
There are a number of ways to achieve this, including client applications, multi-platform middleware, HTML5, software-as-a-service (SaaS) cloud-based solutions, and through a virtualized/remote desktop. Each of these routes needs to be assessed for cost, speed, business benefit and practicality, including whether development is best in-house or through business partnerships.
The approach for an enterprise application store needs careful consideration. The number and type of mobile platforms being supported is a key factor. Solutions may be created via customized internal development or a hosted, outsourced model. Companies are also beginning to explore use of a central hub within the enterprise to deploy, support, track and manage distribution to employees.
Two: Security
Enterprises will typically have more stringent security requirements than those provided by consumer devices. These need to be considered on the device, within virtual private network applications, and for cloud-based applications.
Today’s tablets lack universal serial bus ports (USB) and digital video disk (DVD) drives. This makes one element of security easier to manage than using conventional laptops (which have both USB and DVD drives). But the portability and attractiveness of tablets make them obvious targets for theft. Robust encryption and password enforcement are critical to ensure data security and tracking. Remote wipe will be vital to ensure that lost or stolen devices do not lead to major confidentiality breaches or disclosure of sensitive information.
Three: Device and data management
Updating devices needs to be carefully managed. IT departments must set clear policies about the extent to which individual tablet users can customize their devices, and their permissible application sources and updates. Introducing users’ own tablets onto the enterprise network, known as bring your own device (BYOD), compounds the challenge because it creates a complex environment of diverse devices, operating systems and platforms.
Tablet adoption also increases complexity in the processes required to manage data source synchronization between multiple devices. While many users are accustomed to managing a laptop and mobile phone, adding a third device accelerates the opportunity for cloud-based solutions to ensure data consistency.
Final thoughts
The complexities and challenges of a rapidly developing market for tablets in the enterprise are just beginning and the rules of the game are changing fast. A new mobile ecosystem is emerging that will drive new business models, new channels to market and new collaborations.
Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), wireless operators, software vendors and cloud providers each have a key role to play in helping enterprises understand and benefit from this new technology. The competition is going to be intense. The winners will be those players who can leverage the game-changing efficiency and effectiveness that tablets promise, making a clear path to cost reduction, performance improvements and increased customer satisfaction.
The author is the global managing director of Accenture’s Electronics & High-Tech practice.
Monday, August 8, 2011
Friday, August 5, 2011
Apple rises to top as worldwide smartphone market grows 65.4 percent in Q2-2011
FRAMINGHAM, USA: The worldwide mobile phone market grew 65.4 percent year over year in the second quarter of 2011 (2Q11), marking the third consecutive quarter where total shipments exceeded 100 million units. According to the International Data Corp. (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, vendors shipped 106.5 million units in 2Q11 compared to 64.4 million units in the second quarter of 2010. The 65.4 percent growth was on par with IDC's forecast of 67.3 percent for the quarter and below the 84 percent year-over-year growth in 1Q11.
"The smartphone market crowned a new leader in 2Q11, and its name is Apple," said Ramon Llamas, senior research analyst with IDC's Mobile Phone Technology and Trends team. "Ever since the first iPhone launched in 2007, Apple has made market-setting strides in hardware, software, and channel development to grab mindshare and market share. Demand has been so strong that even models that have been out for one or two years are still being sought out. With an expected refresh later this year, volumes are set to reach higher levels."
"The smartphone market leadership change signifies the parity that comes with a fast-growing market such as smartphones," said Kevin Restivo, senior research analyst with IDC's Worldwide Mobile Phone Tracker. "There is no runaway leader in the market, which means there could easily be further Top 5 vendor changes to come."
Market outlook
For 2011, IDC maintains that the worldwide smartphone market will grow 55 percent over 2010. "The first half of the year has demonstrated strong growth for the smartphone market," added Llamas. "The second half of the year will bring new flagship models and refreshed user experiences to market. These will keep smartphones well out in front of the market, and keep growth on an upward trajectory."
Top five smartphone vendors
Apple's success can be directly attributed to its distribution (more than 200 carriers in more than 200 countries), increased manufacturing capacity, and solid demand within emerging and developed markets from both consumers and business users. Apple's emergence as the number one smartphone vendor worldwide comes at a time when former worldwide leader Nokia is in the midst of a major transition. However, Apple has yet to top Nokia's single-quarter volume record of 28.1 million units. But given Apple's momentum in the smartphone market, it may not be a question of whether Apple will beat that milestone, but when.
Samsung realized the largest year-over-year growth of any vendor among the top five, and key to its continued success was the global popularity of its flagship Galaxy S smartphones. What originally began as a series of high-end smartphones has proliferated well into the mass-market, but has not strayed too far from its high-end roots. Moreover, its steady cadence of device releases and updates has kept Samsung's smartphones well out in front of the competition. Samsung's bada-powered smartphones likewise grew, while demand for its Windows Phone smartphones has cooled off.
Nokia ceded the number one position for the first time in the history of IDC's Mobile Phone Tracker, with smartphone volumes dipping below the 20 million unit mark for the first time since 3Q09. Even as the company released new smartphones running on Symbian 3, demand for its products running on the aged Symbian platform has shifted to other devices. At the same time, Nokia must be considered as a company in transition, as it recently unveiled its first MeeGo-powered smartphone and Windows Phone-powered smartphones, designated as the primary operating system for Nokia moving forward, have yet to reach the market.
Research In Motion posted the lowest year-over-year growth of all the vendors in the top five, but still shipped enough BlackBerry smartphones to be the number four vendor worldwide. The company has released only a few new models so far this year, leaving the bulk of its shipments to be comprised of older, less expensive models. That has allowed its competitors to grab mindshare and market share with multiple new models. In addition, many vendors have targeted business users with enterprise-grade smartphones, which have long been RIM's stronghold. Still, demand for BlackBerry smartphones remained healthy in the face of competition.
HTC marked another upward quarter, having launched and announced several new smartphones to the market. These featured 3D displays and 4G speeds, attesting to HTC's ability to bring devices with the latest and forward-thinking technologies. For a company that got its start providing carrier-branded smartphones, HTC's success at building a strong and readily identifiable brand stems directly from a broad and deep selection of devices, a steady stream of device releases, and a warm reception among carriers and end-users. With a goal of shipping more than 13 million units in 3Q11, HTC is well poised to reach its goal of shipping 50 million units for the year.
"The smartphone market crowned a new leader in 2Q11, and its name is Apple," said Ramon Llamas, senior research analyst with IDC's Mobile Phone Technology and Trends team. "Ever since the first iPhone launched in 2007, Apple has made market-setting strides in hardware, software, and channel development to grab mindshare and market share. Demand has been so strong that even models that have been out for one or two years are still being sought out. With an expected refresh later this year, volumes are set to reach higher levels."
"The smartphone market leadership change signifies the parity that comes with a fast-growing market such as smartphones," said Kevin Restivo, senior research analyst with IDC's Worldwide Mobile Phone Tracker. "There is no runaway leader in the market, which means there could easily be further Top 5 vendor changes to come."
Market outlook
For 2011, IDC maintains that the worldwide smartphone market will grow 55 percent over 2010. "The first half of the year has demonstrated strong growth for the smartphone market," added Llamas. "The second half of the year will bring new flagship models and refreshed user experiences to market. These will keep smartphones well out in front of the market, and keep growth on an upward trajectory."
Top five smartphone vendors
Apple's success can be directly attributed to its distribution (more than 200 carriers in more than 200 countries), increased manufacturing capacity, and solid demand within emerging and developed markets from both consumers and business users. Apple's emergence as the number one smartphone vendor worldwide comes at a time when former worldwide leader Nokia is in the midst of a major transition. However, Apple has yet to top Nokia's single-quarter volume record of 28.1 million units. But given Apple's momentum in the smartphone market, it may not be a question of whether Apple will beat that milestone, but when.
Samsung realized the largest year-over-year growth of any vendor among the top five, and key to its continued success was the global popularity of its flagship Galaxy S smartphones. What originally began as a series of high-end smartphones has proliferated well into the mass-market, but has not strayed too far from its high-end roots. Moreover, its steady cadence of device releases and updates has kept Samsung's smartphones well out in front of the competition. Samsung's bada-powered smartphones likewise grew, while demand for its Windows Phone smartphones has cooled off.
Nokia ceded the number one position for the first time in the history of IDC's Mobile Phone Tracker, with smartphone volumes dipping below the 20 million unit mark for the first time since 3Q09. Even as the company released new smartphones running on Symbian 3, demand for its products running on the aged Symbian platform has shifted to other devices. At the same time, Nokia must be considered as a company in transition, as it recently unveiled its first MeeGo-powered smartphone and Windows Phone-powered smartphones, designated as the primary operating system for Nokia moving forward, have yet to reach the market.
Research In Motion posted the lowest year-over-year growth of all the vendors in the top five, but still shipped enough BlackBerry smartphones to be the number four vendor worldwide. The company has released only a few new models so far this year, leaving the bulk of its shipments to be comprised of older, less expensive models. That has allowed its competitors to grab mindshare and market share with multiple new models. In addition, many vendors have targeted business users with enterprise-grade smartphones, which have long been RIM's stronghold. Still, demand for BlackBerry smartphones remained healthy in the face of competition.
HTC marked another upward quarter, having launched and announced several new smartphones to the market. These featured 3D displays and 4G speeds, attesting to HTC's ability to bring devices with the latest and forward-thinking technologies. For a company that got its start providing carrier-branded smartphones, HTC's success at building a strong and readily identifiable brand stems directly from a broad and deep selection of devices, a steady stream of device releases, and a warm reception among carriers and end-users. With a goal of shipping more than 13 million units in 3Q11, HTC is well poised to reach its goal of shipping 50 million units for the year.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Airtel rolls out 3G services in amader Kolkatay
KOLKATA, INDIA: Bharti Airtel announced the availability of its 3G services in eastern India's centre of business, commerce and finance ----- Kolkata.
With this, more than 3.6 million plus Airtel mobile customers across Kolkata will now be able to experience the Airtel 3G advantage and enjoy a host of innovative service capabilities including fast mobile internet access, mobile TV, video calling, video streaming and social networking – at anytime, from anywhere. Airtel 3G services will be available for customers in Kolkata starting midnight on 4 August 2011. Airtel also offers high speed USB data cards that provide customers with 3G access on laptops.
P.D. Sarma, CEO – West Bengal & Orissa, Mobile Services, Bharti Airtel, said: “Having successfully launched Airtel 3G services in 50 plus towns across India, we today have over 3 million customers enjoying the Airtel 3G advantage and are delighted to extend this incredible experience to our customers in Kolkata – the city of joy. Given the increasing propensity of customers in West Bengal towards using accessing more and more information through mobile internet, we are confident that 3G will emerge as a game changer that will redefine the way our customers access data services to stay closer to their passion for art, music and other forms of entertainment.”
The launch of Airtel 3G gives customers the power to enjoy multimedia services, high speed mobile broadband, videos on phone, live TV, video calls and much more – all at speeds never experienced before. Airtel 3G mobile customers in the country will now be able to leverage Airtel internet on 3G to make international video calls and interact face-to-face with their loved ones and colleagues living abroad - instantly sharing experiences and information.
With this, more than 3.6 million plus Airtel mobile customers across Kolkata will now be able to experience the Airtel 3G advantage and enjoy a host of innovative service capabilities including fast mobile internet access, mobile TV, video calling, video streaming and social networking – at anytime, from anywhere. Airtel 3G services will be available for customers in Kolkata starting midnight on 4 August 2011. Airtel also offers high speed USB data cards that provide customers with 3G access on laptops.
P.D. Sarma, CEO – West Bengal & Orissa, Mobile Services, Bharti Airtel, said: “Having successfully launched Airtel 3G services in 50 plus towns across India, we today have over 3 million customers enjoying the Airtel 3G advantage and are delighted to extend this incredible experience to our customers in Kolkata – the city of joy. Given the increasing propensity of customers in West Bengal towards using accessing more and more information through mobile internet, we are confident that 3G will emerge as a game changer that will redefine the way our customers access data services to stay closer to their passion for art, music and other forms of entertainment.”
The launch of Airtel 3G gives customers the power to enjoy multimedia services, high speed mobile broadband, videos on phone, live TV, video calls and much more – all at speeds never experienced before. Airtel 3G mobile customers in the country will now be able to leverage Airtel internet on 3G to make international video calls and interact face-to-face with their loved ones and colleagues living abroad - instantly sharing experiences and information.
Radio IP integrates radio, 3G and 4G networks into multi-agency public safety mobile VPN
APCO Conference 2011, MONTREAL, CANADA: Radio IP Software Inc., a leading developer of advanced Mobile Virtual Private Network (MVPN) software solutions, announced the deployment of its Radio IP MTG and Mult-IP systems in a county-wide MVPN solution supporting more than 1000 mobile devices from fire, police and EMS public safety agencies serviced by the Snohomish County Police Auxiliary Services Center (SNOPAC) and Southwest Snohomish County Communications (SNOCOM) agency.
Together, these organizations provide emergency dispatch, communications and technical services for more than 60 public safety agencies across Snohomish County in Washington State.
SNOPAC and SNOCOM implemented a hybrid solution leveraging established Radio IP MTG systems and Mult-IP next-generation MVPN software from Radio IP. “Radio IP was the only vendor that offered us a solution that extended the life of our existing narrowband data network - which remains a vital component of our public service response capabilities - while still providing a seamless path for advanced wireless technologies as we need them,” said Lt. Steve Dittoe, SCSO Project Manager, Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office.
“As we continue to migrate our agencies to a next-generation mobile CAD platform, the Radio IP MPVN solution offers us the compression, API, application-steering and enhanced multi-agency support capabilities needed to cost-effectively extend services throughout the county,” he continued. “Mult-IP and Radio IP MTG easily support our large geographic footprint while respecting our modest budget and the Radio IP implementation team exceeded our support expectations. We look forward to expanding our relationship with Radio IP as we continue to evolve our MVPN services.”
“The Radio IP solution allows SNOCOM and our member agencies to continue to realize a return on our investment in our private wireless network while at the same time take advantage of the newest technologies as they become available,” said Terry Peterson, Technology Manager, SNOCOM. “The Mult-IP platform has proven successful in our high-demand, multi-agency environment allowing customized configurations by each agency. I am excited about the features that make our required scalability and increased reliability more easily within our grasp.”
“The Radio IP, SNOPAC and SNOCOM teams have clearly set a new standard in the design and implementation of mobile VPN connectivity,” said Frank Draper, VP of Sales and Marketing at Radio IP Software. “This project clearly demonstrates not only the intelligence and sophistication of the SNOPAC & SNOCOM networking teams, but also clearly positions them as trail blazers redefining what is possible with mobile technologies,” he continued. “Our teams worked together closely throughout the entire project, challenging accepted networking principals and considering all new possibilities to deliver users a mobile experience that is always seamless and secure.”
Together, these organizations provide emergency dispatch, communications and technical services for more than 60 public safety agencies across Snohomish County in Washington State.
SNOPAC and SNOCOM implemented a hybrid solution leveraging established Radio IP MTG systems and Mult-IP next-generation MVPN software from Radio IP. “Radio IP was the only vendor that offered us a solution that extended the life of our existing narrowband data network - which remains a vital component of our public service response capabilities - while still providing a seamless path for advanced wireless technologies as we need them,” said Lt. Steve Dittoe, SCSO Project Manager, Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office.
“As we continue to migrate our agencies to a next-generation mobile CAD platform, the Radio IP MPVN solution offers us the compression, API, application-steering and enhanced multi-agency support capabilities needed to cost-effectively extend services throughout the county,” he continued. “Mult-IP and Radio IP MTG easily support our large geographic footprint while respecting our modest budget and the Radio IP implementation team exceeded our support expectations. We look forward to expanding our relationship with Radio IP as we continue to evolve our MVPN services.”
“The Radio IP solution allows SNOCOM and our member agencies to continue to realize a return on our investment in our private wireless network while at the same time take advantage of the newest technologies as they become available,” said Terry Peterson, Technology Manager, SNOCOM. “The Mult-IP platform has proven successful in our high-demand, multi-agency environment allowing customized configurations by each agency. I am excited about the features that make our required scalability and increased reliability more easily within our grasp.”
“The Radio IP, SNOPAC and SNOCOM teams have clearly set a new standard in the design and implementation of mobile VPN connectivity,” said Frank Draper, VP of Sales and Marketing at Radio IP Software. “This project clearly demonstrates not only the intelligence and sophistication of the SNOPAC & SNOCOM networking teams, but also clearly positions them as trail blazers redefining what is possible with mobile technologies,” he continued. “Our teams worked together closely throughout the entire project, challenging accepted networking principals and considering all new possibilities to deliver users a mobile experience that is always seamless and secure.”
BlackBerry 7 device success crucial for RIM
Tony Cripps, Principal Analyst, Ovum
AUSTRALIA: On the face of it the two new Bold devices and three new full touchscreen Torch models look competitive. The latest BlackBerry 7 OS and much-improved BlackBerry Browser certainly seem to offer a compelling device-side user experience, one very much comparable to the oft-maligned PlayBook tablet. However, the real proof of the pudding is whether that software-driven experience captures the imagination of third parties who might wish to write and deploy applications or content to those devices.
RIM can make a good case for having created the most complete web browsing experience on a portable device so far on the PlayBook, a capability that may well now be shared by its new BlackBerry 7 OS devices. However, neither developers nor consumers are yet at the point where this capability substitutes fully for downloadable applications.
Given that smart devices are increasingly sold to consumers as much on a promise of what those devices can deliver in terms of applications and services as they are on their design, RIM needs to be lobbying big consumer brands hard to embrace and promote BlackBerry 7 OS as much as it can. Success in this endeavour could prove crucial in deciding the fate of RIM's latest devices and maybe its longer term future.
AUSTRALIA: On the face of it the two new Bold devices and three new full touchscreen Torch models look competitive. The latest BlackBerry 7 OS and much-improved BlackBerry Browser certainly seem to offer a compelling device-side user experience, one very much comparable to the oft-maligned PlayBook tablet. However, the real proof of the pudding is whether that software-driven experience captures the imagination of third parties who might wish to write and deploy applications or content to those devices.
RIM can make a good case for having created the most complete web browsing experience on a portable device so far on the PlayBook, a capability that may well now be shared by its new BlackBerry 7 OS devices. However, neither developers nor consumers are yet at the point where this capability substitutes fully for downloadable applications.
Given that smart devices are increasingly sold to consumers as much on a promise of what those devices can deliver in terms of applications and services as they are on their design, RIM needs to be lobbying big consumer brands hard to embrace and promote BlackBerry 7 OS as much as it can. Success in this endeavour could prove crucial in deciding the fate of RIM's latest devices and maybe its longer term future.
Nokia’s pain is Apple’s gain in Q2 smartphone market
EL SEGUNDO, USA: Capitalizing on a 31 percent decline in shipments at longtime market leader Nokia Corp., Apple Inc. surged into the No. 1 position in the global smartphone market in the second quarter, according to the new IHS iSuppli Mobile Handset Market Track.
Facing strong competition from Apple, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. and No. 5 brand HTC Corp., Nokia posted the worst performance among the leading smartphone brands, with its shipments falling to 16.7 million units, down from 24.2 million in the first quarter, as presented in the table below. Nokia’s shipments also were down 30.4 percent from 24 million one year earlier, in the second quarter of 2010.
Source: IHS iSuppli, USA.
With the overall smartphone market expanding by 7.5 percent sequentially, Nokia’s share of shipments declined to 15.1 percent in the second quarter, down from 23.6 percent in the first quarter. Nokia's smartphone shipments have regressed to their level of two years ago. This caused Nokia to fall to third place, losing the No. 1 ranking for the first time in the history of the smartphone business.
“Nokia’s woes in the smartphone market are the result of a double whammy of rising competitive pressures on the outside—and struggles with its corporate strategy on the inside,” said Tina Teng, senior analyst, wireless communications, for IHS. “The Symbian software platform used by Nokia simply isn’t competitive against Apple’s iOS or the Android operating system used in phones from Samsung and HTC. Meanwhile, the company is facing major challenges throughout its entire mobile handset business—even outside the smartphone segment—which caused its sales to decline in most regions of the world in the second quarter.”
The sharks circle
Nokia’s decline in the second quarter allowed Apple to climb one place to take the No. 1 position, although the company only slightly outperformed the overall smartphone market, with its shipments rising by 9.1 percent sequentially.
Samsung ascended to No. 2, up from fourth place in the first quarter, as its shipments surged by 55.6 percent—the strongest sequential growth among the leading smartphone brands. HTC posted the second best performance among the top brands, with its shipments rising by 24.6 percent compared to the first quarter.
Nokia’s woes
Although Nokia had been holding onto the lead in the smartphone market during the last year, the company has been suffering from declining market share in its home European market. The company also has seen overall slowing sales in China. However, the second quarter marked a dramatic plunge in Nokia’s China business, with shipments dropping by 52.7 percent.
Beyond Nokia’s problems with Symbian, the company also is encountering challenges in its transition to Windows 7 as its principal operating system for smartphones. With the announcement of the transition in early 2011, Nokia eliminated any incentive for consumers and developers to buy into its existing smartphone products, which are based on its Symbian and MeeGo operating systems. Because the Microsoft deal is unlikely to yield any products until late 2011, it is having a further negative impact on the Nokia’s already eroding position in smart phones.
Samsung dunks on RIM
Just as Apple capitalized on Nokia’s decline to take the No. 1 spot, Samsung seized on a shipment decline at Research In Motion Ltd. (RIM) to vault to second place in the smartphone market for the second quarter. RIM’s shipments declined by 10.8 percent during the period, making it the only other major brand besides Nokia to suffer a sequential decline in shipments. As a result, RIM fell to the fourth ranking, down from third place in the first quarter.
Like Nokia, RIM is losing share to the Android platform as it struggles to develop a complete ecosystem for its operating system and develop a device capturing consumer trends. Most of RIM’s market share loses are taking place in Europe and North America.
Meanwhile, Samsung’s shipments have surged because of its broad focus on all parts of the smartphone business with its shotgun approach to address all segments and leverage the Android platform. In addition to premium smartphones, Samsung has been offering low-end models that appeal to consumers in China and Latin America, driving up the company’s shipments.
Smartphone shipments set to soar
Smartphones represent the fastest-growing and most lucrative segment of the global cellphone business. Because of this, the smartphone has become the central focus for mobile handset makers.
IHS expects smartphone shipments to reach 478 million units by the end of 2011, up 62.4 percent from 2010. In comparison, the overall cellphone business will expand by 13.5 percent for the year.
The average selling price for smartphones ranges from two to five times the average for all mobile phones in 2011.
Source: IHS iSuppli, USA.
Facing strong competition from Apple, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. and No. 5 brand HTC Corp., Nokia posted the worst performance among the leading smartphone brands, with its shipments falling to 16.7 million units, down from 24.2 million in the first quarter, as presented in the table below. Nokia’s shipments also were down 30.4 percent from 24 million one year earlier, in the second quarter of 2010.
Source: IHS iSuppli, USA.With the overall smartphone market expanding by 7.5 percent sequentially, Nokia’s share of shipments declined to 15.1 percent in the second quarter, down from 23.6 percent in the first quarter. Nokia's smartphone shipments have regressed to their level of two years ago. This caused Nokia to fall to third place, losing the No. 1 ranking for the first time in the history of the smartphone business.
“Nokia’s woes in the smartphone market are the result of a double whammy of rising competitive pressures on the outside—and struggles with its corporate strategy on the inside,” said Tina Teng, senior analyst, wireless communications, for IHS. “The Symbian software platform used by Nokia simply isn’t competitive against Apple’s iOS or the Android operating system used in phones from Samsung and HTC. Meanwhile, the company is facing major challenges throughout its entire mobile handset business—even outside the smartphone segment—which caused its sales to decline in most regions of the world in the second quarter.”
The sharks circle
Nokia’s decline in the second quarter allowed Apple to climb one place to take the No. 1 position, although the company only slightly outperformed the overall smartphone market, with its shipments rising by 9.1 percent sequentially.
Samsung ascended to No. 2, up from fourth place in the first quarter, as its shipments surged by 55.6 percent—the strongest sequential growth among the leading smartphone brands. HTC posted the second best performance among the top brands, with its shipments rising by 24.6 percent compared to the first quarter.
Nokia’s woes
Although Nokia had been holding onto the lead in the smartphone market during the last year, the company has been suffering from declining market share in its home European market. The company also has seen overall slowing sales in China. However, the second quarter marked a dramatic plunge in Nokia’s China business, with shipments dropping by 52.7 percent.
Beyond Nokia’s problems with Symbian, the company also is encountering challenges in its transition to Windows 7 as its principal operating system for smartphones. With the announcement of the transition in early 2011, Nokia eliminated any incentive for consumers and developers to buy into its existing smartphone products, which are based on its Symbian and MeeGo operating systems. Because the Microsoft deal is unlikely to yield any products until late 2011, it is having a further negative impact on the Nokia’s already eroding position in smart phones.
Samsung dunks on RIM
Just as Apple capitalized on Nokia’s decline to take the No. 1 spot, Samsung seized on a shipment decline at Research In Motion Ltd. (RIM) to vault to second place in the smartphone market for the second quarter. RIM’s shipments declined by 10.8 percent during the period, making it the only other major brand besides Nokia to suffer a sequential decline in shipments. As a result, RIM fell to the fourth ranking, down from third place in the first quarter.
Like Nokia, RIM is losing share to the Android platform as it struggles to develop a complete ecosystem for its operating system and develop a device capturing consumer trends. Most of RIM’s market share loses are taking place in Europe and North America.
Meanwhile, Samsung’s shipments have surged because of its broad focus on all parts of the smartphone business with its shotgun approach to address all segments and leverage the Android platform. In addition to premium smartphones, Samsung has been offering low-end models that appeal to consumers in China and Latin America, driving up the company’s shipments.
Smartphone shipments set to soar
Smartphones represent the fastest-growing and most lucrative segment of the global cellphone business. Because of this, the smartphone has become the central focus for mobile handset makers.
IHS expects smartphone shipments to reach 478 million units by the end of 2011, up 62.4 percent from 2010. In comparison, the overall cellphone business will expand by 13.5 percent for the year.
The average selling price for smartphones ranges from two to five times the average for all mobile phones in 2011.
Source: IHS iSuppli, USA.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Airtel launches 3G services in Maharashtra and Goa
MUMBAI, INDIA: Bharti Airtel announced the availability of its 3G services in Maharashtra and Goa. With this, Airtel customers in Maharashtra and Goa will now be able to now join the 3-million-strong base of customers in India that are already leveraging the world class Airtel 3G experience to enjoy a host of exciting capabilities including Mobile TV, video calls, live streaming of videos and social networking on the go – all at speeds never experienced before.
Airtel also offers high speed USB data cards that provide customers with 3G access on laptops. Airtel 3G services will be available in Maharashtra and Goa starting midnight on 4th August 2011.
Ramesh Menon, CEO – Mumbai, Maharashtra & Goa, Mobile Services, Bharti Airtel, said: “With the launch of Airtel 3G services for our 1.15 crore plus mobile customers across Maharashtra and Goa, we are all set to empower these states with high speed capabilities that will bring them closer to an all new world of possibilities. With a commitment towards delivering an unmatched service and network experience, we look forward to delighting our 3G customers with a host of innovative capabilities including Mobile TV, video calls, video streaming and social networking on-the-go”
Delivering a seamless experience to customers, Airtel 3G services are now available across all major parts in the region, including Pune, Nashik city, Nagpur city and Goa state.
The launch of Airtel 3G gives customers the power to enjoy multimedia services, high speed mobile broadband, videos on phone, live TV, video calls and much more. Airtel 3G mobile customers in the country will now be able to leverage Airtel internet on 3G to make international video calls and interact face-to-face with their loved ones and colleagues living abroad - instantly sharing experiences and information.
With Video Talkies portal on Airtel 3G, customers can enjoy popular Bollywood and regional movies on their mobile phones – anytime, anywhere. A wide range of LIVE and on-demand TV channels as well as shows are also available on Mobile TV powered by Airtel 3G.
Airtel also offers high speed USB data cards that provide customers with 3G access on laptops. Airtel 3G services will be available in Maharashtra and Goa starting midnight on 4th August 2011.
Ramesh Menon, CEO – Mumbai, Maharashtra & Goa, Mobile Services, Bharti Airtel, said: “With the launch of Airtel 3G services for our 1.15 crore plus mobile customers across Maharashtra and Goa, we are all set to empower these states with high speed capabilities that will bring them closer to an all new world of possibilities. With a commitment towards delivering an unmatched service and network experience, we look forward to delighting our 3G customers with a host of innovative capabilities including Mobile TV, video calls, video streaming and social networking on-the-go”
Delivering a seamless experience to customers, Airtel 3G services are now available across all major parts in the region, including Pune, Nashik city, Nagpur city and Goa state.
The launch of Airtel 3G gives customers the power to enjoy multimedia services, high speed mobile broadband, videos on phone, live TV, video calls and much more. Airtel 3G mobile customers in the country will now be able to leverage Airtel internet on 3G to make international video calls and interact face-to-face with their loved ones and colleagues living abroad - instantly sharing experiences and information.
With Video Talkies portal on Airtel 3G, customers can enjoy popular Bollywood and regional movies on their mobile phones – anytime, anywhere. A wide range of LIVE and on-demand TV channels as well as shows are also available on Mobile TV powered by Airtel 3G.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
