smartphone downloads

Next-Generation Mobile Devices, Advanced Networks, and Free and Supported Applications to Drive Growth

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA, August 12, 2009 -- Smartphone penetration in the U.S. mobile markets is increasing rapidly. For some time, mobile operators have been offering a branded 'catalog' of mobile content and services that could be purchased from the handset itself. However, all that is changing for smartphones, in which newer types of targeted app stores are being introduced to enable the device owner to purchase content from outside the operator environment. The availability of a large number of inexpensive or free mobile applications that leverage the next-generation technical capabilities of the target device will help drive adoption. However, in the end, service differentiation and generating suitable return on investment from the app store business could be challenging.