SCOTTSDALE, AZ – Smartphone OS-based phones will grow at more than a 30% CAGR for the next five years globally, taking an increasing share of the overall phone market otherwise growing in single digits, reports In-Stat.

The unit volume of smartphones globally exceeds the unit sales for laptops, according to the research firm.

Users are experiencing significant value from their smartphones, In-Stat says. As a result, they are downloading more applications and generating higher usage as measured by average revenue per user for wireless carriers. 

“Because of the value users are finding, organizations are slowly taking ownership of smartphones and data applications used for business purposes,” says Bill Hughes, In-Stat analyst. “Rather than having overcomplicated reimbursement plans, more organizations are finding it more expedient and economical to treat wireless voice and data services as a business expense when they use smartphones.”

Research by In-Stat found the following: All smartphone OSs (other than the Palm OS) will grow at double digits during the next five years; a smartphone user who travels has twice the ARPU of a typical feature phone user; smartphone use will grow mostly from use as a laptop replacement, and as a tool to help manufacturers develop feature phones.

SAN JOSE, CA – Worldwide sales will surpass $321 billion in 2010 with a CAGR of 7.7% for the period between 2007 and 2010, the Semiconductor Industry Association today reported in its annual forecast of global semiconductor sales.

EL SEGUNDO, CA – Pricing has become the paramount concern for television makers, as the growing emphasis on achieving the lowest possible cost has brought wrenching changes to the competitive landscape and manufacturing structure of the business, says iSuppli Corp.

HONG KONG – Surface Mount Technology (Holdings) LTD. reported second-quarter revenue of HK $758,436, up 7% year-over-year.

Year-to-date revenue, ended Sept. 30, was HK $1.58 million, up 11.5% compared to the same period in 2006.

Gross profit for the second quarter was HK $108,773, an increase of 4.7% year-over-year, while gross profit in the first half of the year was HK $214,599, up 3.9%, the company said.

SMT said the growth in gross profit is lower than revenue growth mainly as a result of higher cost of sales resulting from higher raw material prices, wages, energy cost and depreciation charges.

US $1 = HK $7.7851