Even during the worldwide recession it seems consumers continue to abandon ‘dumb’ phones when, for just a little bit more money, they can get a pocket-sized computer – a smartphone – instead. According to research firm Gartner, overall handset sales are expected to shrink by 4 percent this year compared to last year. Meanwhile, smartphone sales are forecast to grow by more than 20 percent.

Smartphones account for only 14 percent of the mobile phone market today, but this segment has doubled its share of the global mobile phone business over the past three years. More than 500 million smartphones are expected to be sold in 2012 when they are forecasted to make up half the market. Revenues from smartphones are expected to double to half the industry total by 2014.

With the smartphone market being really the only game in town, the intensity of the battle for the smartphone market is

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As per consumer perception, Apple Inc.’s (AAPL) iPhone and Research In Motion’s (RIMM) BlackBerry are ruling the smartphone market. So this is a cause of concern for Nokia (NOK), as the company is slightly lagging in the smartphone segment. Although Nokia management claims that it holds the substantial share of the smartphone market, we believe that consumers’ choices are tilted toward iPhones and BlackBerrys. On the one hand, most tech enthusiast wants to own the iPhone, while on the other hand BlackBerry is ruling the corporate segment. So Nokia’s N97, with its enhanced features and competitive pricing, is basically trying to catch up with this competition. Technology research firm Gartner projected that the smartphone category grew by 27% in the second quarter, although there is a 6.1% decline in the overall mobile phone market. So large players in this segment including Samsung and Sony ...

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – September 2, 2009 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: Google (GOOG), Sony Corp. (SNE), Microsoft (MSFT), Apple (AAPL) and Hewlett Packard Co. (HPQ).

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Here are highlights from Tuesday’s Analyst Blog:

Google Ropes in Sony

Google (GOOG) recently struck a deal with Sony Corp. (SNE), according to which the latter will ship the Chrome browser pre-installed on some of its PC models. The financial or other details of the transaction were not disclosed. A Google spokesperson said that

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  This morning, Intel (INTC) raised its third-quarter guidance. The company now anticipates revenues to be about $9 billion, versus its previous forecast of $8.5 billion. Gross margins are expected about 53%, with more upside than downside likely to the projection. This was the second piece of bullish news about the semiconductor industry released this week. On Wednesday, Gartner Inc. raised its forecast for worldwide semiconductor sales. The consulting firm now expects a 17.1% decline, a huge improvement from its previous forecast for a 22.4% drop. Gartner credited lower prices on LCD TVs and computers as well as China's stimulus package for helping the industry. Both Intel's guidance and Gartner's forecast further validate what I first said in March -- the chip industry is early stages of a recovery (read "Are Chipmakers Finally Stabilizing?"). Chipmakers have brought down inventory levels and demand is showing signs ...

IBM's (IBM) broad product and services portfolio delivers value to clients through a combination of services, hardware and software. The key verticals for IBM in the Indian market are infrastructure, such as construction and steel; telecom; industrial; energy and utilities. It also witnesses growth in the insurance and banking, travel and transportation, and the government spaces.

We therefore favor IBM for its wide range of products and large international exposure. IBM generates over a billion dollars in revenue from the Indian market. Revenue at IBM was driven by double-digit growth in markets such as India and China, which were up 10.0% in 2008. IBM expects these growing markets to drive revenue and increase growth beyond 2009.

In comparison to the slowing U.S. markets and weak IT spending, the Indian market is still relatively healthy as are other emerging markets. Specifically, the 'BRIC' region ( Brazil, Russia, India and China )

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The battle for the smart phone market is heating up this year because the smart phone market is the only game in town. Although smart phones account for just 1 in every 7 mobile devices sold, this segment has doubled its share of the global mobile phone business over the past three years. Revenues from smart phones are expected to double, to half the industry total, by 2014.

Recent figures from market research company Gartner confirm this trend. Gartner’s figures showed that shipments of phones that allow web surfing, email and other popular software applications rose 27 percent in the second quarter to 41 million units. This occurred even while overall handset sales remained on track for their first full-year decline ever. For the three months to June 20, overall mobile phone sales fell 6.1 percent to 286.1 million units. Even during the recession it seems consumers are abandoning ‘dumb’ phones

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According to the research group Gartner, the outlook for the semiconductor equipment industry is showing signs of improvement, as it appears that capital equipment spending bottomed out in the second quarter of 2009. Most semiconductor companies spent the first half of 2009 working through the high levels of inventory built up in the last six months of 2008.Capital spending remains a major concern; it is expected to be down around 40% - 45% in 2009 and not expected to return to normal levels anytime before 2011. In fact, Gartner had earlier predicted that chip sales won't return to 2008 levels until 2013 as the industry struggle through the global downturn. The economy might show bleak signs of recovery, but the road is long and slow before demand and spending return to normalcy.Klaus Rinnen, Managing Vice President for Gartner's Semiconductor Manufacturing Group, had earlier observed that ...

Will Dell Succeed with Its New Device? Doubtful.According to some sources, Dell Inc. (DELL) may be launching an iPod "Touch-style" pocket-sized Mobile Internet Device (MID) sometime in the second half of 2009. The gadget is expected to tap the Internet and will run on Google Inc.'s (GOOG) Android software.The device will feature a bunch of services such as music, videos, and connectivity similar to the iPhone. It is expected to be slightly bigger than Apple's (AAPL) iPod Touch but may not have a cellphone. The source also commented that the production could be delayed or scrapped completely. Dell declined to comment on any plans for future product releases.During March, in a conference call, Dell accepted that it plans to offer a handheld device but did not provide any specific details. ...

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL - June 18, 2009 - Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: Apple (AAPL), Integrated Device Technology (IDTI), Leadis Technology (LDIS), Forest Laboratories, Inc. (FRX) and FedEx Corporation (FDX).

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Here are highlights from Wednesday's Analyst Blog:

Touch-Screens Feeling Hot

This technology seemed to struggle to gain acceptance until Apple (AAPL) released the iPhone.

The capacitive touch-screen and touch-button controller segment is projected to hit 1.3 billion units by 2012, a 44 percent compounded annual growth rate, according to

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Quick Quiz: How many gadgets do you have in the house that use touch-screen technology? At first glance as I look around my house I would say six gadgets, but I am probably missing three or four.This technology seemed to struggle to gain acceptance until Apple (AAPL) released the iPhone.The capacitive touch-screen and touch-button controller segment is projected to hit 1.3 billion units by 2012, a 44 percent compounded annual growth rate, according to market research firm Gartner: "Capacitive touchscreens are rapidly becoming common in mobile handsets, spurred by the success of the iPhone," said Gartner analyst Amy Leong.Armed with this information, on June 11, 2009, Integrated Device Technology (IDTI) announced it has purchased the touch sensor technology assets from Leadis Technology. In addition, IDT will also acquire the Leadis Technology (LDIS) intellectual property and employee teams that run the ...