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an online leader in one-stop comparison shopping for cell phones and wireless phone plans
:: 04 April, 2007
Wirefly Announces Sharp Growth in Smartphone Sales and Unveils Most Popular PDA
Models
WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)----Wirefly (www.wirefly.com), an online leader in one-stop
comparison shopping for cell phones and wireless phone plans, today released an analysis of
the recent sharp growth in smartphone sales and announced which smartphones are in the
highest demand at the beginning of 2007.
The sales of smartphones--phones with advanced, multi-functional operating systems--grew
70% from the third quarter of 2006 to the first quarter of 2007. This sharp increase in popularity
in less than six months is attributed to two main factors: One, the public's awareness of
smartphones generated by frequent national advertising programs; and two, increased choice
for smartphones that are thinner, more stylish and have more compelling features such as
music players.
"Smartphones are no longer just high-tech toys for IT specialists or mobile offices for business
executives. The general public is now starting to embrace QWERTY keyboard smartphones as
versatile cell phones for everyday use. Also, a wider audience is attracted by the availability of
slimmer, more pocket-friendly smartphones packed with fun and useful applications," said
Wirefly president Brian Westrick. "This may also be why the smartphone mix purchased by the
public is changing. As the smartphone customer base gets wider and less technical, larger and
more complex products like Pocket PCs and Treos are yielding ground to slimmer and sexier
smartphones like the Samsung BlackJack, Motorola Q and the BlackBerry Pearl."
Today's Most Popular Smartphone Models
The best-selling smartphones on Wirefly.com at the beginning of 2007 are a representation of
the market trend that is widening the smartphone customer base.
The Samsung BlackJack tops the list as Wirefly's best-selling smartphone. The BlackJack is
1/2" thick, and at 3.5 oz it is lighter than most small flip cell phones. The Cingular BlackJack
was designed to blend traditional smartphone applications - such as QWERTY keyboard, large
color screen, Bluetooth technology and full-featured email with attachment capability - with
popular downtime features like digital camera, MP3 Player and access to Cingular Video and
Music.
Also on the list of Wirefly's Top 5 top-selling smartphones is the Motorola Q from Verizon
Wireless and Sprint. At only 1/2" thick, the Motorola Q brings together the RAZR's elegant style
and trim profile with today's most advanced smartphone technology. With its huge color screen
that gives instant access to the Q's main menus and functions, it is intuitive to use and tightly
coupled to your PC with its Microsoft Windows Mobile platform. As a full-featured smartphone,
one of its main assets is its email application, with QWERTY keyboard for easy typing, multiple
email account configuration and attachment capability. And in line with today's smartphone
trends, the Motorola Q also offers a host of downtime applications such as 1.3 Megapixel digital
camera, Bluetooth wireless technology that support streaming stereo music, and Windows
Media Player. The Motorola Q is now also available for Sprint.
Available from Cingular Wireless and T-Mobile, the BlackBerry Pearl is BlackBerry's thinnest
and smallest cell phone, measuring 0.6" in thickness and weighing 3.2 oz. This BlackBerry
sports the contoured chromed edges and large color display that appeals to today's styleconscious
cell phone shopper. It has been a cross-over success at bringing traditional cell
phone shoppers into the age of mobile messaging with the acclaimed BlackBerry email
software. The Pearl features a space-saving SureType(R) keyboard, Bluetooth wireless
technology and Web browsing. Also, the Pearl offers a 1.3 Megapixel camera, voice-activated
dialing and supports Cingular push-to-talk walkie-talkie services.
The BlackBerry 8700 series is available on all the major wireless carriers today and continues
to attract new smartphone customers to BlackBerry. As the flagship device within the
BlackBerry line, it features a full-size QWERTY keyboard, large color screen and the side
thumbwheel familiar to BlackBerry users. Compared to older BlackBerry models, the 8700
series offers a thinner body, more contoured edges, battery-saving light-sensitive color screen
as well as Bluetooth wireless technology.
Please visit Wirefly.com to learn more about today's smartphones, as well as to find cell phone
deals from all major U.S. carriers.
Release link: http://investor.inphonic.com/profiles/investor/ResLibraryView.asp?BzID=1461&ResLibraryID=19115&Category=984