Wireless Voice and Data to Drive Explosive Handheld and Palmtop Market

Wireless data communications will lead to an explosion in sales of mobile computing devices -- including handheld and palmtop PCs, according to Cahners In-Stat Group (http://www.instat.com).

The high-tech market research firm finds that new palmtop and handheld PCs will make wireless Internet access a more commonplace phenomenon. This added versatility, coupled with affordable prices, will likely prompt mobile computing devices to skyrocket going forward.

"Wireless data communications is the key feature driving this explosive market," said Robyn Bergeron, In-Stat's e-Business computing infrastructure analyst. "Internet connectivity, coupled with audio applications such as MP3 capability, will push the mobile computing device market to record shipment levels."

In-Stat forecasts that palmtops will be the most popular mobile computing product by far, with sales growing an average of 28% annually through 2004.

Unit sales of handheld PCs -- larger devices featuring a clamshell design with a small keyboard -- will actually decline an average of 7.3% during that period, falling from 1.2 million in 1999 to 810,000 in 2004. Palm Inc., the palmtop pioneer, continues to dominate the palmtop market, though its market share will erode from 72% in 1999 to 65% in 2000 as Handspring and Windows CE palmtops make gains.

In-Stat also found that:

-- The worldwide mobile computing device market in 2000 will grow 36% from 1999.

-- By 2004, more than 51% of mobile computing devices shipped will be wireless-enabled.

-- Integrated phone modules, to provide voice capabilities to mobile computing devices, will also be a force of change in the market.

The report, Mobile Computing Devices: A New Era in Personal Computing (No. CM0005MC), includes forecasts of the handheld and palmtop PC markets from 1999 to 2004. It also features an examination of handheld/palmtop processors, operating systems, batteries, screens, memory and expansion ports.

In addition, the report contains analysis of the handheld/palmtop market including pricing, market drivers and major players such as Palm, Sony, Handspring, IBM and Psion.

To purchase this report or for additional information please visit http://www.instat.com/catalog/cat-cm.htm - cm0005mc or contact Chris Kissel at 480/609-4531; ckissel@instat.com. The report price is $2,995 USD.


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