Palm has said repeatedly that they're not concerned about Palm Pre sales numbers because the smartphone market is growing fast enough to accommodate multiple players. So it should come as no surprise that the demand for smartphones is on the rise.
According to international market research company Parks Associates, "consumer appetite for smartphones is skyrocketing and will push annual sales worldwide from 131 million units in 2008 to over 300 million by 2013." That's 20% annual growth right there, plenty of room for Palm to fit in.
The firm just published a report, "Mobile Services: Global Outlook" that validates Palm's view (and everybody else's) of the smartphone market. The real question on the table, of course, is which platforms will be able carve out enough marketshare to thrive (or at least profit) in the growing market.
The press release states "smartphone users worldwide will top 1.1 billion in 2013." The number is impressive, no doubt about it. What share of that 1.1 billion do you think Palm can grab? How much is enough for webOS to be a viable platform?
Comments
Yes, the demand is rising...But where is the supply?
That and one that won't break down on you as well. I love the phone and the form factor but it seems that the quailty of the build is lacking. Palm please use better and stronger parts. Thank you!
Yes, Palm, please design the Pre using pure titanium casing and a scratch resistant diamond screen so that I can put it in my back pocket and ride a mechanical bull without any worries... the plastic one has survived several 3-5ft drops onto pavement, but you really need to plan for all contingencies! While you're at it, please also design a flying car, a holodeck, and a time travel machine. Please also do something about my ex-wife... that horrible creature must be stopped.
LOL!
If only abuse was the sole cause of build problems with the phone.
Granted. I was just feeling cheeky. I know of no technology that isimmune to some manufacturing defects, and perhaps it is my own lack of problems with my first and only Pre that makes me feel cheeky when I see so many complaints about build quality, particularly in relation to stuck pixels which are inherent to any LCD display and cracked screens which likely more often than not result from pocket time. I sometimes stick a pack of smokes in a front or cargo pocket, and sometimes the pack emerges crushed with a few cigs irreparably damaged after nothing more than a drive to work. I've yet to take a pack back to the convenience store as defective. ( ;
Of course, it is not my intent to belittle legitimate problems. Just saying that sh!t happens, and not all of it occurs on the assembly line.
Ya, there's always some defective units, but at least it's not the iPhone 3gs and starts glowing from the heat and has to shut itself down when used outdoors.
The build quality issues are overblown. Cut it out.
I do agree.. Some are blown out of proportion. But 1 thing that is bugging me is dead pixels. I don't think there is a pre out there with 0 dead pixels. My gf,s had 3 then we replaced amd new 1 has 6, my pre had about 5 and I replaced and the new 1 has 6. They aren't as bad on my new 1 so ima hold on to it because I assume they all have them just people don't notice... Maybe in 3-4 months newer pres won't have them. Then I will replace.
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