Ultra Mobile Device Market Heats Up

Market researcher In-stat is predicting a real dogfight in the ultra mobile device (UMD) market, not only among various brands but also among different categories within the market. As consumers have more choices than ever for untethered Internet connectivity, and with new functionality being added to existing products, the lines of distinction among product categories are blurring. That means the battle for the consumer dollar among mobile Internet devices (MIDs), ultra mobile PCs (UMPCs), portable entertainment devices, and smartphones will be fierce.
Recent research by In-Stat found that MID & UMPC shipments are anticipated to be around 19 million units by 2013, while the total market for UMDs will approach 656 million units in the same year, and carriers play the critical role in determining business models for the industry and in which devices succeed.

“The introduction of the MID and UMPC platforms has ignited the market for mobile devices that combine communications, computing, and entertainment functionality around the use of the Internet,” says Jim McGregor, In-Stat analyst. “MIDs and UMPCs still face challenges in overcoming performance limitations and in attracting interest from both consumers and carriers. These platforms must create definitive positions in the mobile market as an increasing number of other cellular and consumer devices become connected for more specific uses and applications.”

Part of this comes from recent moves by Freescale to enter the market with low cost, low power, ARM-based silicon.