WIRELESS AND MOBILE NEWS

The latest market data from analyst firm Canalys shows how much the converged device market (all smart phones and wireless handhelds) has grown over the past year. These, typically high-end, devices represented around 10% of the global mobile phone market by units in 2007, with annual growth of 60% making them one of the fastest growing segments of the technology industry. Year-on-year growth climbed every quarter throughout 2007, to reach a peak of 72% in Q4.

2007 Converged Devices

• Converged device shipments (smart phones and wireless handhelds) rose 60% to hit 115 million in 2007
• Shipments of handhelds fell 47% to 3.0 million, from 5.6 million in 2006
• North America is growing fast - shipments doubled to 20.9 million, from 10.3 million in 2006
• Nokia remained global market leader, shipping 60.5 million smart phones
• RIM shipments grew 112% year-on-year to 12.2 million, strengthening its second place position
• By OS provider, Symbian leads on 67% share, followed by Microsoft on 13%, with RIM on 10%.

Q4 Converged Devices

• Converged device shipments rose 72% year-on-year in Q4 2007, the highest growth seen all year
• Nokia and RIM retained their number one and two positions
• Apple achieved third place despite its limited geographic coverage, with 7% share
• Symbian leads with 65% share, ahead of Microsoft on 12%, RIM on 11%, Apple on 7%, and Linux at 5%