Jungle Buzz: 2010-2015 Smartphones

One of the latest trends happening has to do with smartphones. As Microsoft CEO, Steve Balmer, stated their growth was still in its “infancy.”

Everyone usually follows the iPhone’s lead when it comes to the latest technology, but video calling won’t become really popular any time soon. According to Juniper Research, smartphone video calling will reach 29 million and will remain below 10% by 2015 in all markets.
Their report is entitled “Next Generation Smartphones: Strategic opportunities and Markets, 2010-2015.”

The problem with it according to Anthony Cox, Senior Analyst for JR, is that “it remains flat screened,” but “In the longer term the growth of WiFi and 3G in developing markets may make video calling an attractive option for international calls for those working and living away from their families.”

Now what should we expecting to see with these new smarthphones during the period of 2010-2015?
•    Functionality associated with today’s smartphones, such as app store connectivity and touchscreens, will be present in over 84% of handsets shipped in the US by 2015

•   The value of global smartphone device shipments will reach $94bn in 2015

•    3D functionality and dual core processors are among several technical developments which will drive the market forward over the next five years
•    Barriers to entry for consumer electronics players have reduced as operating systems have become open source and the component market has become increasingly standardised.
According to this same report you can expect your phone to have Near Field Communications (NFC), 3D capabilities, and pico projectors.

NFC is rumored to be coming to the iPhone 5, it allows you to use your smartphone as a credit card and allow users to have exactly the same computing experience on any machine, according to the Telegraph.

3D looks like a trend that is here to stay and I’m betting that you won’t need and silly glasses with it either, so look for much higher screen resolutions with these 3D capabilities. A 3D smartphone according to Economic Times will be available as early as December, but in Japan. It’s offered by SoftBank Mobile and will run on a Google OS.
Pico projectors market share has been up 125%, their just starting to see their potential. Every smartphone will eventually have this, because, in my opinion, they allow users to step out of what is usually confined to a small screen. According to Softpedia,

Micron is saying the V100 LCOS will begin sampling next month and should enter mass production by this years end, the Boise, Idaho based company stating that production costs should come under $30 US, so this may end up in a smartphone near you in the not so distant future.

This all will lead us into the post-PC era

Article By Alex Elkan