Features Less Important Than Aesthetics for New Handsets

UK based mobile market analysis, research and consulting firm Mako Analysis has unveiled an interesting insight into the major wireless handset trends that we are likely to see emerge through 2006. The Mako Analysis report identifies forthcoming developments in areas such as 3G/UMTS, HSDPA, connectivity, music, handset vendor music position, camera phones, form factor, colour and customisation, gaming and remote management, to name but a few.

The insights revealed in the report are extensive, however some of the most intriguing commentary centres around statements such as:

• The current popular device colours of black and pink will be joined by a wide range of shades that will be used to extend the shelf life of many of the key device lines released through the year
• Despite industry hype, 2006 will not be the year of HSDPA
• Bluetooth connectivity will finally penetrate into low end device segments, where as infrared will start to be phased out
• 3G will finally meet high end 2G levels of device weight and size
• Mobile music will form a key battleground for handset manufacturers but the winners and losers will surprise many
• Camera technology will see many advances with up to 5 mega pixel models emerging in 2006

A spokesperson for Mako Analysis commented, "2006 is certainly set to become a very exiting year for the mobile terminals business. We have compiled this report using our own extensive knowledge of the mobile terminals value chain and by canvassing the opinions of industry experts across the world. The report is unique in the level of detail revealed and has already received widespread acclaim from industry experts and customers across the mobile value chain."

The types of device that are expected to emerge in 2006 further support the existing belief expressed by Mako Analysis that end users are, in the main, not willing to sacrifice pleasing aesthetics and everyday usability for market leading advances in technology that will rarely be used in every day interactions with their device."

Posted to the site on 20th January 2006