Comments on: Studies Predict the Future of Handhelds, Bluetooth

Market research firm IDC released a study this week that says sales of handhelds will increase 43% this year over last year's sales. This is a noticeable change from their 88% increase on 2000 but not bad considering the slowing world economy. IDC goes on to predict that the handheld market will grow an average of 39% per year through 2005, with shipments reaching 70.9 million that last year.

They predicted that the Asia-Pacific region to be the real area of growth, increasing at an annual rate of 60%. Growth in the U.S. will not be as rapid. Last year, the U.S. accounted for 49% of all handheld sales. By 2005, that will decrease to 39%.

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1st

I.M. Anonymous @ 6/23/2001 11:45:19 AM #

i think bluetooth is cool and would pay te extra money to have it in my pda

RE: 1st

I.M. Anonymous @ 6/23/2001 4:37:58 PM #

I like WiFi better (802.11b standard). Better range and already built into a lot of computers. What advantage does Bluetooth have besides a neat name?

RE: 1st

phac @ 6/23/2001 4:52:37 PM #

it is smaller than wifi and is already in some cellphones? not too many eh. yeah i think wifi is better but either one would be cool

http://www.stormpages.com/phs

RE: 1st

I.M. Anonymous @ 6/23/2001 11:43:39 PM #

Unfortunately you can not put IEEE 802.11b (Wi-Fi) Wireless LAN in your cellular phone and PDA without having to carry a larger & heavier battery. The reason is that IEEE802.11b consumes more power than Bluetooth does. Also the circuitry to make IEEE802.11b Wireless LAN is more expensive (so it performs better).

The original idea of Bluetooth is to make a cheaper and simple wireless connectivity. It is very much like Motocycle vs. Car. You choose the one fits your needs.

2nd

I.M. Anonymous @ 6/23/2001 12:24:33 PM #

Rule #1: Never pay attention to research firms. They're paid guessers.

RE: 2nd

I.M. Anonymous @ 6/23/2001 10:03:46 PM #

Rule #2: Never trust IDC

IDC puts out the worst drivel out of all the big firms (Gartner, Giga, etc...)

Since their core research sucks so bad, they try to outdo other firms by going extreme in all of their so-called predictions.

RE: 2nd

mondo @ 6/24/2001 1:14:26 AM #

The main thing is that there is certainly still going to be significant growth. How much? Lots of guesses, and they all be wrong. But knowing that growth will be significant is enough for most people.

500 million devices - that would be a stretch. Possible? No idea. But even if their prediction is 500% over, thats still a lot devices.

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mondo
Sydney, Australia

Bluetooth will have great toy value

mondo @ 6/24/2001 1:12:16 AM #

Bluetooth sounds pretty cool, and will have applications. I am pretty sure I'll be getting a card for my Palm once its out - it will be a nice way to drive some connectivity, especially with mobile phone.

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mondo
Sydney, Australia