ABI Research’s “Mobile Devices Annual Market Overview” forecasts worldwide shipments of nearly 35 million netbooks in 2009, rising to an estimated 139 million in 2013.

 

The analysts at ABI Research (News - Alert) have attributed this tremendous growth in netbooks to a confluence of social and technological factors. Practice director Kevin Burden pointed out that PDA’s began users’ reliance on instant accessible data while traveling and smartphones became popular when PDA functionality converged with cellular voice.

 

A large number of people expected smartphones to evolve into the hub for all data and communication needs for travelling professionals.

 

“Today, with a better understanding for what a smartphone is, is not, and may never be, along with a reality check on the usefulness of UMPCs, the market remains open for new device types,” he added.

 

Since the introduction of smartphones, people came to expect a lot from mobile technology especially while traveling. Burden believes the netbook with its light-weight, medium-sized form factor and low-cost processors leading to moderate overall price points, may be the answer for technology that facilitates productive travels.

 

Burden further explains that even though the low-cost, power stingy x86 and ARM (News - Alert) processors were the technical keys to netbooks, industry and consumer expectations also needed to evolve before netbooks would meet market acceptance.

 

“In recent years, the industry still expected the smartphones to be more than they turned out to be, and most recently, MIDs were thought to be the next big mobile devices segment, but an unclear usage model continues to confuse the market,” said Burden. He emphasizes that netbooks’ time has come, and expects a market explosion for netbooks over the next few years.

 

ABI Research provides in-depth analysis and quantitative forecasting of emerging trends in global connectivity. The company’s latest report provides an integrated view of the mobile devices market and examines the unique market aspects of individual device form factors. ABI’s “Mobile Devices Annual Market Overview” also includes detailed shipment and revenue forecasts, and is a component of the firm’s Mobile Devices Research Service.