Communications and Technology Industry Research

From a start of just 10 million units in 2008, shipments of ultra-mobile devices are expected to exceed 200 million in 2013, according to new research.

 

The umbrella term Ultra-Mobile Device (UMD) refers to ultra-mobile personal computers, netbooks and Mobile Internet Devices (MID).

 

“The UMD market will still be small compared to the wireless handset market, but with a forecast revenue of nearly $27 billion in 2013, it will certainly be significant,” said Philip Solis, principal analyst at ABI Research (News - Alert).

 

A new study from ABI, “Mobile Internet Devices and UMPCs,” analyzes the drivers and barriers for UMDs across the ecosystem. It examines the issues that will shape this market, such as the contest between x86-based processors and ARM (News - Alert)-based processors, distribution and subsidization, device definitions and the effect of cellular voice-enabled MIDS. It includes a detailed market forecast through 2013.

 

While netbooks account for about 90 percent of today’s UMD market, they will fall to a distant second place by 2013, while MID shipments surge ahead to take nearly 68 percent of the market, with ultra-mobile PCs 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,” Solis continues, “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.”

 

ABI Research is a market research firm focused on the impact of emerging technologies on global consumer and business markets. Utilizing a blend of market intelligence, primary research, and expert assessment from its worldwide team of industry analysts, it assists hundreds of clients each year with their strategic growth initiatives.

 

This report is part of ABI’s MID and Mobile CE Research Service, which includes research briefs, market data, ABI Vendor Matrices and ABI Insights. To access the report, go to: (http://www.abiresearch.com/products/market_research/Mobile_Internet_ Devices_and_UMPCs)