The 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. This survey finds that, with a few notable exceptions, this is largely not the case.

 

　　Smartphones are one exception. These are converged devices that combine a PDA and a cellular phone to offer wireless email. In addition, road warriors have started giving up their desk phones in favor of their mobile phones. Otherwise, business users are more likely to carry redundant devices than to pursue the converged device model.

 

　　In spite of their current behavior, these users are willing and eager to receive the benefits that converged devices offer. The wireless industry needs to overcome their objections first. This report looks at what users say are their objections to using converged devices. Such information is important for device manufacturers and the wireless operators that sell subscriptions on which these devices operate to anticipate when the promise of converged devices will come to fruition.

•     Executive Summary

•     Introduction

•     Perceptions of Devices Used by Respondents

o     Computing Devices

   Ownership and User Perceptions of Desktop and Laptop Computers

   Ownership and User Perceptions of PDAs and Smartphones

o     Telephony Devices

•     User Attitudes About Fixed Mobile Convergence

o     Interest in Using a Converged Computing Device

o     Smartphone Companion Device Interest

o     Interest in Using a Converged Telephone

•     Road Warriors and Converged Devices

•     Conclusion and Forecast

•     Methodology

o     Respondent Demographics

•     Glossary

•     Related In-Stat Reports

 

•     Table 1. Global Smartphone Forecast 2007 to 2011

List of Figures

•     Figure 1. Comparison of the Percent of US Professionals by Travel Amount Who Carry Redundant Devices to Those Who Fully Use a Converged Device Model

•     Figure 2. Features US Smartphone Users Need in Order to Increase Usage—Year-to-Year Comparison (Multiple Answers Allowed)

•     Figure 3. Percentage of Palm Treo Users That Regularly Carried a Redundant Palm PDA in 2006 and 2007

•     Figure 4. Business Use of Laptops and Desktop Computers among US Respondents

•     Figure 5. Laptop Frustrations among Users in 2006 and 2007 (Multiple Answers Allowed)

•     Figure 6. Wireless Networks Used by US Laptop Users

•     Figure 7. Frustration Laptop Users Have in Finding a Wireless Network for Wi-Fi and Cellular Data Users

•     Figure 8. Installed Based among Respondents of PDA Brands

•     Figure 9. Percentage of Palm Treo Users That Regularly Carried a Redundant Palm PDA in 2006 and 2007

•     Figure 10. PDA and Smartphone Frustrations among Users in 2006 and 2007 (Multiple Answers Allowed)

•     Figure 11. US TAP Respondents Who Cite Battery Life as a Source of Frustration

•     Figure 12. Smartphone Frustrations among Users in 2006 and 2007 (Multiple Answers Allowed)

•     Figure 13. Frustration with Battery Life in 2006 and 2007, by Smartphone OS

•     Figure 14. Frustration with Available Applications in 2006 and 2007, by Smartphone OS

•     Figure 15. Cellphone Frustrations among Users in 2007 (Multiple Answers Allowed)

•     Figure 16. Features US Smartphone Users Need to Increase its Usage—Year-to-Year Comparison (Multiple Answers Allowed)

•     Figure 17. Features Needed to Use a Smartphone Exclusively as Computing Devices—2007 (Multiple Answers Allowed)

•     Figure 18. Expected Price for Mobile Companion for Users and Non-Users of a Laptop Docking Station

•     Figure 19. Interest among US business Users about Being a Desk Phone “Cord Cutter”

•     Figure 20. Why US Respondents are Uninterested in Being a “Business Cord-Cutter” (Multiple Answers Allowed)

•     Figure 21. Time Away from the Desk for US Respondents

•     Figure 22. Opinion that a Smartphone and Desk Phone are Essential among Users, by Travel Amount

•     Figure 23. Interest in and Practice of Being a Business Cord-Cutter, by Travel Amount

•     Figure 24. Monthly Minutes of Use for Mobile Phone and Desk Phone by Travel Amount among US Respondents

•     Figure 25. Age of Respondents

•     Figure 26. Industries Which Employ the Respondents

•     Figure 27. Size of Businesses that Employ the Respondents