Despite the weak economy taking its toll across most consumer markets, portable multimedia devices will thrive i teh next few years, says market researcher In-Stat.
Even the weak economy can’t overcome a broader migration to mobile and portable devices, as indicated by the proliferation of portable electronics categories, says a new report. Portable electronics device shipments will grow more than 10% in 2009 versus 2008. The category, which includes digital radio receivers, e-readers, edutainment toys, handheld game consoles, MP3 players, portable media players (PMPs), and personal navigation devices (PNDs), is expanding to over 400 million units in 2009. By 2013, it will approach 600 million units. While some segments, such as handheld game consoles and MP3 players, have hit maturity and peaked, other segments continue to emerge.
“We’re seeing significant growth in the e-reader segment, as it evolves from a nascent market,” says Stephanie Ethier, In-Stat analyst. “And while MP3 players have peaked, this represents more of a migration to video-capable devices, as shipments of PMPs continue to expand.”

Recent research by In-Stat found the following:

- Shipments of portable entertainment devices in Europe will be 157 million units in 2013. Shipments to Japan will be 58 million.
- Worldwide unit shipments for PNDs (navigation devices) will reach approximately 56 million units in 2012.
- Total worldwide shipments of PMP & MP3 players will reach 225 million in 2009, with Asia-Pacific representing the largest geographic market.
- Worldwide e-reader shipments are expected to grow from almost 1 million units in 2008 to nearly 30 million units in 2013.

Key Intel deal with Nokia for mobile chips

Coming soon after Intel's acquisition of Wind River, the tie up of Intel and Nokia to develop new mobile chips is a telling move. Intel needs to migrate into the smartphone business before its laptop starts declining - the move to a 'pocketable' format is the key here.
Intel sees this step as further uniting the Internet with mobile phones and computers in a long-term relationship to develop a new class of Intel Architecture-based mobile computing device and chipset architectures which will combine the performance of powerful computers with high-bandwidth mobile broadband communications and ubiquitous Internet connectivity.
Both companies are expanding their longstanding relationship to define a new mobile platform beyond today's smartphones, notebooks and netbooks, enabling the development of a variety of innovative hardware, software and mobile Internet services.
Taking advantage of each company's expertise as leaders in their respective fields, these future standards-based devices will marry the best features and capabilities of the computing and communications worlds and will transform the user experience, bringing incredible mobile applications and always on, always connected wireless Internet access in a user-friendly pocketable form factor.
The Intel and Nokia effort includes collaboration in several open source mobile Linux software projects. Intel will also acquire a Nokia HSPA/3G modem IP license for use in future products.
"This Intel and Nokia collaboration unites and focuses many of the brightest computing and communications minds in the world, and will ultimately deliver open and standards-based technologies, which history shows drive rapid innovation, adoption and consumer choice," said Anand Chandrasekher, Intel Corporation senior vice president and general manager, Ultra Mobility Group. "With the convergence of the Internet and mobility as the team's only barrier, I can only imagine the innovation that will come out of our unique relationship with Nokia. The possibilities are endless."
The effort also includes technology development and cooperation in several open source software initiatives in order to develop common technologies for use in the Moblin and Maemo platform projects, which will deliver Linux-based operating systems for these future mobile computing devices.
The companies are coordinating their Open Source technology selection and development investments, including alignment on a range of key Open Source technologies for Mobile Computing such as: oFono*, ConnMan*, Mozilla*, X.Org*, BlueZ*, D-BUS*, Tracker*, GStreamer*, PulseAudio*. Collectively, these technologies will provide an open source standards-based means to deliver a wealth of mobile Internet and communication experiences, with rich graphics and multimedia capabilities.
Hosted by the Linux Foundation, Moblin is an optimized open source Linux operating system project for Atom-based MIDs, netbooks, nettops, in-vehicle infotainment (IVI), and embedded systems.
Maemo is a Linux operating system, mostly based on open source code and powers mobile computers such as the Nokia N810 Internet Tablet. The Maemo platform has been developed by Nokia in collaboration with many open source projects. For more information see www.maemo.org.

HSPA modem license

Building on today's announcement, Intel and Nokia have signed an agreement that will enable Intel to license Nokia's HSPA/3G modem technologies with the aim of developing advanced mobile computing solutions that deliver a powerful and flexible computing experience, combining 3GPP modem technology with the high performance and low power consumption of future Intel Architecture-based platforms.
The Nokia modem license complements Intel's broadband wireless technologies and will enable the company to extend chipset solutions incorporating Nokia's modem technologies across its mobility offerings in the future.

Qualcomm launches 45nm Snapdragon chipset with 3G ...

Qualcomm has developed a new version of its ARM processor-based Snapdragon platform with a next-generation chipset that uses 45nanometre process technology to provide faster processing, significant battery life improvements and other enhancements for smartphones and netbooks, as well as adding 3G data capability.
The Snapdragon QSD8650A chipset – scheduled for sampling before the end of 2009 – boosts the clock to 1.3GHz for 30 percent higher performance as well as enhanced multimedia and 2D/3D graphics, while reducing power consumption by 30% and a low standby power of less than 10 millwatts.

“This latest addition to the growing family of Snapdragon chipsets will help our customers to develop faster, more power-efficient smartphones and smartbooks,” said Luis Pineda, senior vice president of marketing and product management at Qualcomm CDMA Technologies. “This new 45 nm device shows our continued commitment to extending the capabilities of the Snapdragon platform with leading-edge process technology and an expanded list of integrated features.”

The QSD8650A chipset also offers multi-mode UMTS and CDMA 3G mobile broadband connectivity in the same 15x15mm package as current Snapdragon chipsets. A standalone, power-efficient 2D graphics accelerator and enhanced 3D graphics core deliver a powerful multimedia experience with better Adobe Flash performance. It also features integrated GPS and high-definition video recording and playback, the latest Bluetooth 2.1 technology and support for Wi-Fi, high-resolution WXGA displays and mobile TV technologies such as MediaFLO, DVB-H and ISDB-T.
This is interesting as Qualcomm had already has a 45nm dual core version, the QSD8672 that runs up to 1.5GHz, but there was obviously a need for a single core, lower cost, lower power version.

... as Snapdragon support grows
More than 15 manufacturers are now developing more than 30 Snapdragon-based products, the first of which is the Toshiba TG01 Smartphone, introduced in February 2009. Others on show in Taipei this week include ASUS, Compal Communications, Foxconn, High Tech Computer (HTC), Inventec and Wistron.

“The mobile industry is evolving, and it’s become apparent that consumers are more sophisticated in their expectations than ever before,” said Stephen Chen, president of Compal Communications. “Snapdragon’s integrated 3G mobile broadband brings a new level of connectivity and convenience to the smartphone and smartbook categories.”

Software developers now supporting Snapdragon chipsets include those developing:
Digital media services: Zinio
Multimedia players: RealNetworks, Inc, Bluestreak and Varia Mobile
Operating systems: Phoenix Technologies, ThunderSoft and Xandros
Productivity applications: Haansoft, Remoba
Social networking applications: Conveneer
System integration services: Bsquare, Movial

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.

200 Million Ultra-mobile Devices to Ship in 2013

From a virtual “standing start” of just 10 million units in 2008, market analysts ABI Research predict shipments of ultra-mobile devices (UMDs — the umbrella term for ultra-mobile PCs, netbooks and Mobile Internet Devices) are expected to exceed 200 million in 2013.
“The UMD market will still be small compared to the wireless handset market, but with a forecast revenue of nearly US$27 billion in 2013, it will certainly be significant,” said ABI Research principal analyst Philip Solis.
While netbooks account for about 90% of today’s UMD market, they will fall to a distant second place by 2013, while MID (Mobile Internet Device) shipments surge ahead to take nearly 68% of the market, with Ultra-mobile PCs (UMPCs) remaining a niche category.
To put the UMD market forecasts into perspective, the 2013 estimate of 200 million shipped devices is roughly the anticipated size of the worldwide laptop PC market.
“As this market enters its rapid growth phase and starts to evolve,” said Solis. “We will see considerable experimentation with different distribution channels: some will sell direct from the manufacturer, some via retail outlets, and some through mobile operators who will subsidize them to encourage new data plan subscriptions.”
The data comes from a new study from ABI Research, “Mobile Internet Devices and UMPCs” which analyzes the drivers and barriers for UMDs across the ecosystem. It examines the issues that will shape this market, including the contest between x86-based processors and ARM-based processors, distribution and subsidization, device definitions, and the effect of cellular voice-enabled MIDs. It includes detailed, segmented market forecasts through 2013.
www.abiresearch.com