Research reports forecasting future market sizes should always be taken with a grain of salt, but it occasionally helps to see the estimates of research organizations in order to gain some perspective on the current and upcoming trends for those markets.

An upswing in the market share of "smart" devices, along with an increase in application focus from OEMs, OS developers and mobile network operators will drive yearly app revenues from US$1.94 billion (2009) to US$15.65 billion in only four years, according to our most recent research findings.

The application market's growth is driven by the widespread push of advanced handset capabilities by the mobile industry and the increasingly-connected global consumer base. This trend will continue, seeing global smartphone users numbering 970 million by the end of 2013.

source: research2guidance

iPhone is on fire! In just matter of a year, iPhone has nearly double it's unit of sales worldwide.  Looking at smartphone OS market share alone, Gartner shows the iPhone OS, Android, and RIM making the biggest gains (up 6.2, 3.4, and 3.3 percentage points from 2008, respectively) at the expense of Windows Mobile (off 3.1 percentage points) and Symbian (off 5.5 points).

Gartner estimates 172 million smartphones were sold last year, up 24 percent. In contrast, total mobile phone sales were flat at 1.2 billion. Smartphones represented 14 percent of total mobile handset sales last year, up from 11 percent in 2008.

source: mobilecrunch

PUMA and Sagem Wireless Unveil New Connected Lifestyle Device and Services PUMA PHONE to Hit Market in April 2010

PUMA AG and Sagem Wireless unveiled today at the Mobile World Congress the much anticipated PUMA PHONE.

The PUMA PHONE is not like all those other phones; its design, from on-board features and technology to unique user interface to connected services reflects the DNA of the PUMA's brand.

Completely custom designed from the inside out, the PUMA PHONE is an uber friendly device engineered to facilitate and encourage an active way of life both digitally and physically.

full press release can be found here.

Huawei, a leader in providing next-generation telecommunications network solutions for operators around the world, today showcased the world's first HSPA+ smartphone powered by Android at the GSMA Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. The U8800 smartphone will be commercially available in the third quarter of 2010, and able to support high-speed Internet access, which is faster than existing 3G smartphones.

The U8800 uses the Android 2.1 operating system, and integrates HSPA+ capabilities to support downlink speeds of up to 14 Mb/s. This speed allows users to download a 400Mb feature-length movie within thirty seconds. The smartphone will feature a 3.8-inch wide screen, providing users with a broader field of vision and allowing them to take full advantage of a multitude of features and Internet applications.

Full press release is here

The TG02 will be nice plus XDA already hacked, and cooked up roms for the TG01 Toshiba needs to get rid of the resistive screen though and make a better UI from the start. They were ahead of the curve as far as tech, now when they make the US version for CDMA (which there is no way Qualcomm won\'t push them to do) they should through in the new dual core Snapdragon and, whola we have a beast.

Here's what we know about Toshiba TG02 as far as specs is concern.

TG02 specs, as of the last leaks:

•  
  • 4.1″ WVGA touchscreen
  • 1GHz Snapdragon processor
  • Windows Mobile 6.5
  • 3.2 megapixel camera
  • HSDPA
  • Integrated GPS
  • IPX4 water resistant
  • 9.9mm thickness

Thanks to Engadget

We do not know the price of the Vodafone 547 yet, nor do we know the release date, but it's coming.

Vodafone 547 mobile phone operates in Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) or 2G networks, and General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) or 2.5G networks, and Enhanced Data Rate for GSM Evolution (EDGE) or 2.75G networks and achieves seamless handover between these networks. Empowered by the modern technology, Vodafone 547 helps you realize high speed connectivity on the go. In addition, the touchscreen design and accelerometer make Vodafone 547 a phone easy to maneuver and ideal for enjoying multimedia entertainment.

source: bluetooth.org

Check out the latest video from Meizu, a phone that was a copy cat of the iPhone.  The new UI looks pretty hot in my opinion.  The video itself is very professional, self explanatory with a lot of built in features.

Enough of my opinions, see it for yourself.

Source: engadgetmobile

If you wish to make a donation to Haiti's disaster through Red Cross, all you have to do is texting "Haiti" to number 90999 to donate $10.   Please help support the people in Haiti, they really need everyone's help.

In $10 increments, more than $4 million has been raised via the MGive Foundation's Haiti campaign, according to a Verizon Wireless spokesman. The campaign was set up with with the U.S. State Department and Red Cross late Tuesday night. While the total had reached $2 million Wednesday night, it climbed to $3 million overnight and surpassed $4 million Thursday morning--a number that could continue climbing steadily for days.

via: cnet.com

Oh my God.. It's hot!  That's right, above picture is the actual press shot from Lenovo,   They were the first ones to come out with this weird looking keyboard, where the arrows are in the center of the QWERTY keyboard. 

It seems that it's running android OS.  As for specifications, there's a a 3.7-inch 480 x 800 touchscreen with a touch-control panel underneath, a WCDMA radio, WiFi, Bluetooth and GPS, along with two cameras: a 3MP shooter on the back and a VGA one up-front for video calls. The Lephone is set to arrive in China sometime in the first half of 2010; no word on when - or if - the rest of us will get a sniff of it.

source: slashgear

Today at CES 2010, Dell showcased a broad range of new products including its first ultra-mobile gaming laptop. Additionally the company provided a peek at new products, including a 5-inch tablet concept and an Android-based smart phone for AT&T, both slated for launch in 2010. Dell also refreshed its Inspiron, Studio and Alienware systems incorporating the new Intel Core i3, i5, and i7 processors.

Read the rest of the press release from Business Wire