COMS -
Smart handheld devices market growing - report
October 27, 1998 10:44 PM
FRAMINGHAM, Mass., Oct 27 (Reuters) - In 1999, the worldwide smart handheld devices market will experience robust growth, with device unit shipments reaching 10.7 million units, up 45 percent from 1998 shipments, International Data Corp. said in a report.
The research firm said in a statement that the growing abundance of products and anticipation of new smart phone devices offer a major challenge for vendors.
During the first half of 1998, 3Com Corp. COMS , maker of the popular PalmPilot device, retained its worldwide lead of the handheld companion market with a 41.4 percent market share. It had edged out Sharp Electronics Corp. from the No. 1 spot in 1997.
Palm-size personal computers did not decrease 3Com's market share in the first half of 1998, and are not expected to overtake the Palm platform over the next three years, until more tier-one handheld and PC vendors jump into the market, the report said.
The smart phone market continues to perform under expectations due to high device costs, continuing product delays, and wireless infrastructure issues affecting the U.S., IDC said.
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