ABI Research: Two Reports on Content and Transparency Drive Wireless Connectivity & Power Management for Mobile Phones

ABI Research has issued a couple more reports in conjunction with CES. The first finds that most Wireless subscribers "want to access advanced services and download content" but "except hardcore techies and early-adopters — don't know or care how it's done. They want a transparent experience, from request to fulfillment."

Philip Solis at ABI Research said, "Access to a wide variety of content on various platforms will never be totally transparent to the end-user, but the desire for it is driving handset vendors to include new connectivity technologies in order to create more competitive devices. At the same time service providers, who previously felt threatened by these IP-based technologies, are warming to the idea that they can enable higher profits and new revenue streams."

ABI thinks the "wide variety of connectivity approaches now available means fresh opportunities for both IC vendors and content-owners, since they are complementary rather than mutually-exclusive," and that It is up to handset IC vendors and wireless service providers to assemble the best solutions for each set of applications."

ABI's other report focused on Power Management in Mobile Phones. According to ABI Research's Alan Varghese, "today's high data rates, and the cellphone's evolution into a personal multimedia center boasting digital cameras, mobile video and advanced gaming, mean that all eyes are again on handset power consumption and battery life. So the power management section, which is responsible for converting battery energy into voltages to power all parts of the handset, will see renewed focus and innovation."

Varghese said, "Like any other part of the high-volume electronics industry, this sector will see falling ASPs due to technological advances, increased manufacturing output, and supplier competition. And since tight coupling between handset components is crucial to reducing power consumption and increasing performance, companies that offer discrete power solutions are going to suffer at the hands of those offering integrated platform solutions."

ABI opined that "the key for power management players will be a multi-tiered product strategy that leverages high volumes and manufacturing efficiencies in the mature standards, as innovation delivers its associated high profit margins in the more advanced segments."

Is it just me or has the whole power management industry been behind the technology advancement curve the past 10-15 years?