The camera phone will become the everyday camera for many consumers over the next four years, according to new research by InfoTrends/CAP Ventures. The industry analysts predict that camera phones will account for 87 percent of all mobile phone handsets shipped in 2010. By then, image-centric and casual camera phone users will have captured a total of 228 billion images, a record-breaking number likely to benefit home printing and instant messaging revenues.

InfoTrends projects that worldwide camera phone shipments will grow from 233 million units in 2004 to 903 million units in 2010. The primary drivers behind this explosion are improvements in imaging functions (i.e. image sensors, zoom, and auto focus); rapid declines in prices for this functionality; higher speed wireless bandwidth; and easier-to-use handsets, services, and peripherals.

"There is a growing population of consumers that value the imaging function of their mobile phone," noted Jeff Hayes, a Group Director at InfoTrends. "These consumers are willing to pay more for their handset; tend to take, share, and print more pictures with their camera phone; and spend more per month on wireless services. Vendors need a product and marketing strategy to appeal to this lucrative imaging-centric market segment."

Key findings include:
    * The total number of images captured on camera phones will reach 228 billion by 2010, exceeding the number of photos taken on digital still cameras and film cameras combined.
    * Camera phones will put immense competitive pressures on one-time use cameras and low-end cameras.
    * The rapid growth of camera phones will create growing opportunities for printing and sharing of images. The value of camera phone photo printing will reach approximately $7.0 billion by 2010, approximately 60% of which will take place in the home.
    * Image messaging revenue will reach $6.8 billion by 2010, and will increasingly become a part of other value-added multimedia services.

Via Tekrati.com 

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