Smart-phones are increasingly becoming private users’ handset choice as they are becoming more interested in the way wide variety of applications (“apps”) and mobile access to social networking sites. So it’s not just the business world that smart-phones are a standard feature. The mobile industry has seen a dramatic shake-up at every level, from phones to services over the past 3 years. Apple has launched the iPhone, iPad and AppStore, Google introduced Android, and HTC has transformed from outsourcer to pioneering device maker. Starhub CEO, Neil Montefiore says 97% of its phone sales are now smartphones, which have helped boost ARPU by $10. Almost 80% of Singaporeans now use smartphones. According to research by Informa Telecoms & Media, more than 130 app stores have been deployed worldwide, by a host of companies, including independents, mobile operators, OS developers and handset makers. Since the last update in 3Q10, at least a dozen new app stores have launched, though a handful of operators and a few independent stores have since retired service. Visit: <a href="http://www.smartphonesasia-os.com/">http://www.smartphonesasia-os.com/</a> for more information or email: rita.parasurum@informa.com
