245
million MMS handsets in Europe by 2007MMS popularity
to grow
20 November 2002 A
new report published by Analysis forecasts that by the end of 2007
all new handsets sold in Western Europe will be equipped for MMS and
that the majority of users who previously bought EMS-capable phones
will have upgraded to MMS handsets. The report states
that by 2007, most of the features appearing on newly launched high-end
handsets will be an integral part of a standard smart phone. These
new features include color screens, Java gaming capability, digital
cameras, picture messaging (MMS), digital music and polyphonic ringtones.
The lack of support for EMS (Enhanced Messaging
Service) by Nokia is seen as the main reason this technology will anything
other than a niche success, although other manufacturers regard EMS
as an option for the lower end of their handest ranges. With the download
industry apparently moving directly to support MMS, little demand is
envisioned for EMS as an interim standard. Among
other conclusions of the report are that new PDAs and laptops will
all soon be compatible with WLAN, GPRS, UMTS and Bluetooth and that
by 2005 virtually all new handsets will be GPRS or UMTS enabled. www.analysis.com | 
