| The figures revealed to the public this year suggested | | | | The excitement of mobile applications and mobile |
| that there is currently 450 billion smartphone users | | | | phone accessories that are available with virtually |
| across the globe. Nevertheless, that figure is set to | | | | every single model has created a significant buzz |
| double and more over the next three years. The | | | | throughout the market. The line between personal and |
| popularity and affordability of the latest smartphones | | | | professional mobile phone use has the potential to blur |
| and mobile internet devices means that the market is | | | | even further over the coming years. With corporate |
| inflating by the week. | | | | businesses moving rapidly to improve access to online |
| The IDC's Worldwide Digital Marketplace Model and | | | | applications and e-mail systems, the versatility of a |
| Forecast expects that mobile devices with Internet | | | | smartphone is now as prominent as ever. |
| connectivity will break the one billion barrier by 2013. | | | | Around a quarter of the world's population was |
| John Gantz, chief research officer at IDC said: "The | | | | fortunate to have access to the Internet last year, with |
| number of mobile devices with Internet access has | | | | over 1.6 billion users. Over a third of the population is |
| simply exploded over the last several years. | | | | thought to be online by 2013, heightening the need for |
| "With a wealth of information and services available | | | | an even bigger portfolio of products on the shelves. |
| from almost anywhere, Internet-connected mobile | | | | China continues to hoard the biggest amount of mobile |
| devices are reshaping the way we go about our | | | | internet devices across the globe, with a little fewer |
| personal and professional lives." | | | | than 85 million dedicated smartphones. |