“The use of video calling has had several false dawns and has remained flat in recent years,” said Anthony Cox, senior analyst at Juniper. “We forecast that there will be 29 million smartphone video users in 2015, but the market may be held back by a lack of interoperability between different devices,” added Cox.
“In the longer term the growth of WiFi and 3G in developing markets may make video calling an attractive option for international calls for those working and living away from their families,” he said.
Further findings from the Smartphones report include: Functionality associated with today’s smartphones, such as app store connectivity and touchscreens, will be present in over 84% of handsets shipped in the US by 2015; The value of global smartphone device shipments will reach $94 billion in 2015; 3D functionality and dual core processors are among several technical developments which will drive the market forward over the next five years; Barriers to entry for consumer electronics players have reduced as operating systems have become open source and the component market has become increasingly standardised.
Additionally, recent developments, like the resignation of Meego’s head Ari Jaaksi, and the decision of both Samsung and Sony Ericsson to abandon Symbian, will further boost the position of the Android operating system in the smartphone market over the next five years, continued Cox.
Although he added Symbian’s historic dominance will guarantee its continued market share over the forecast period.