Mobile device ecosystem: Devices, the OS and application stores

Editor’s Note: This article is an excerpt from RCR Wireless News’ May Special Edition, “Enabling the Mobile Revolution: Mobile Chips, Devices and Accessories.” The 80-page special edition is available here.
Mobile devices have become the de facto “it” device for an increasing number of people around the world, and for good reason. What other device can pack so much functionality into such a little package.
Need something to access the Internet? Check. Need a digital camera? Check. How about an MP3 player? Check. Want to take some video clips? Check. How would you like to share a picture or video clip with virtually anyone in the world from just about anywhere? Check. Need to get some GPS-based directions? Check. Have some time to kill and want to play some games? Check. How about wanting to contact someone using either voice or a text message? Check.
The list is almost endless. And the price for this functionality? Usually just a couple hundred bucks up front and monthly rates of around $50. Sure, it’s not free, but it’s tough to argue that price considering the amount of functionality that is provided.
With all of this capability available for such a reasonable price it’s no wonder that a recent survey conducted by Accenture found that mobile devices (85%) ranked second behind only a personal computer (92%) in consumer technology owned by respondents. The survey also found greater penetration of mobile devices in emerging markets than in mature markets, highlighting the notion that mobile phones are often the first lines of communications many people in developing countries have been able to acquire.
While there are hundreds, if not thousands, of companies that make up the ecosystem that powers all of this functionality, here is a quick hit of some of the consumer-facing names that have had a big part in driving adoption.
Device makers: These are the companies and names most familiar to people and include the likes of Nokia Corp., Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., LG Electronics Co. Ltd., Sony Ericsson, Motorola Inc., HTC Corp., Research In Motion Ltd., Apple Inc., Palm Inc., Kyocera Wireless Corp., ZTE Corp., Huawei Technologies Ltd., Personal Communications Devices Inc., Hewlett-Packard Co., Dell Inc., Novatel Wireless Inc., Sierra Wireless Inc. and Pantech Corp., amongst others.
While a number of device makers have their own production facilities, an increasing number rely on original equipment manufacturers to actually assemble the devices that consumers drool over. Most of these companies are based in Southeast Asia and include companies like Foxconn International Holdings, Ningbo Bird Co. Ltd., BenQ, Flextronics International and MiTac International.
Operating Systems: This is a rapidly growing aspect of the mobile device ecosystem, and is the basis for the increased amount of flexibility now embedded into mobile devices. Similar to a personal computer, mobile devices with advanced operating systems – also known as smartphones – allow users to take advantage of advanced features on their devices as well as download applications that allow for even greater functionality.
Leading names in the OS space include RIM’s BlackBerry, Nokia’s Symbian, Google Inc.’s Android, Apple’s OS, Palm’s WebOS, Microsoft Corp.’s Windows Mobile and others.
Feature phones also pack some “smartness” in them thanks to Sun Microsystem’s Java and Qualcomm Inc.’s BREW platforms. While not as advanced as a smartphone, these platforms allow users to download content and access many of the same applications available on more expensive devices.
Application stores: A somewhat new phenomenon made famous by Apple’s App Store, these online storefronts provide consumers with “easy” access to thousands of applications designed to take advantage of a device’s embedded OS. In addition to Apple, other applications stores are managed by companies like Google for its Android OS, Palm for its WebOS, Nokia’s Ovi for its Symbian OS, Microsoft for its Windows OS and RIM’s BlackBerry World for its Blackberry OS.
App stores have become so lucrative that even mobile carriers are looking to get in on the act. Verizon Wireless is in the process of developing its own App Store that will become standard on many of its feature-packed devices, including those that might already have an App store managed by an OS provider.