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(February 20, 2008) SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — In-Stat reports that conventional wisdom within the portable device industry is that consumers have a preference to use converged devices, meaning single devices that combine the functionality of previously separate devices. The research firm has found that wholesale adoption of a device that combines multiple devices is unrealistic, noting that a survey of U.S. businesspeople shows that users tend to remain loyal to older technology, and employers are reluctant to force the issue.
Before employers can insist that employees use fewer devices, manufacturers need to address battery life and ergonomics issues for portable devices. Once a converged device proves to offer additional value, and technological obstacles are addressed, adoption progresses relatively quickly, according to Bill Hughes, In-Stat analyst. The smartphone is a successful example of a converged device where a single device combines a PDA computing device and a mobile phone, he added, noting that users clearly understand smartphones' benefits.
When tracking convergence, In-Stat found that 8% of businesspeople who travel frequently have given up a desk phone to rely solely on their mobile number. The survey shows that significantly more users prefer to carry redundant devices than chose to have a single telephone number and a single computing device.
The research, "Converged Devices: U.S. Road Warriors Start Cord Cutting" covers the market for mobile devices and looks at what users say are their objections to using converged devices.
For more information, visit www.instat.com. This research is part of In-Stat's Mobile Business service, which covers U.S. business demand for wireless services with an emphasis on mobile data devices and services.
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