|
| |
|
Windows Mobile market share in smartphone market falls from 18 to 16.9 percent October 25, 2006 [General] | By Edward J. R. It was 18% last year in Q3, but this year in Q3 it has fallen from 18 % to 16.9 %. The main reason: market share of Symbian increased. Canalys writes in their latest market report: The handheld’s decline has also had an impact on Microsoft’s overall share of the smart mobile device market. In Q3 2006 it is sitting at 16.9%, down from 18.0% a year ago, despite shipments of Windows Mobile based converged devices (smart phones and wireless handhelds) increasing by almost 80% year-on-year. In the converged device space, it is not only the HTC/Qtek-branded products that are generating growth, but also those branded by operators such as O2 and Orange. The new Palm Treo 750v available through Vodafone in Europe is also expected to make a significant contribution over the coming months. “I’d be surprised if the Treo 750v did not exceed the volumes achieved by its Palm OS based predecessors in EMEA,” said Canalys analyst Pete Cunningham. “Windows Mobile is gaining traction with network operators and with enterprise customers looking at applications such as push e-mail. While RIM is still the vendor to beat in this arena, the competition is improving with each generation of devices. What vendors must ensure, however, is that they can go to the operators with not just one or two devices, but a portfolio that can address a range of customer segments, and a clear proposition behind each. One of the key benefits of an open operating system for device vendors is the ability to tailor their propositions and add value through software and they must make the most of this opportunity to differentiate.” To read the report in full, with exact numbers and more information, click here. * * * * * The 3 main reasons why Nokia in general and their Symbian smartphones in particular are so succesful are: a) keeping release dates, i.e. releasing phones at specified time even if they must cut down on features - or in other words: short time to market and keeping promises as far as release dates are concerned - are the most important things b) covering maximum number of market segments - i.e. releasing models that would be of interest to various groups of people - to maximum number of various groups of people c) massive marketing campaigns and designs, that give impression that given devices are indeed "cool" In Windows Mobile camp manufacturers have problems with a) [Samsung, Motorola] and with b) [all of them - even HTC is not covering all segments because it doesn't have Pocket PC phone with QWERTY keyboard for single-handed usage], so it is good to see that market research company clearly underlines that b) is very important for market success.
|
| ||||||
| |