A report by industry researcher IDC revealed that the worldwide converged mobile device market grew by 39 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2009 when compared to the previous year.
The study showed that 54.5 million units were shipped in the three months, while 174.2 million were sold in the whole of 2009.
Ramon Llamas, senior research analyst with IDC's mobile devices technology and trends team, commented: 'Increasingly, mobile phone users are seeking greater utility from their devices beyond telephony and messaging, and converged mobile devices fulfill that need.'
Kevin Restivo, a senior research analyst with the group, added that 2009 allowed Google's Android and Palm's webOS to show the ways that new operating systems can boost smartphone functionality.
He also predicted that new technologies and applications to be launched this year will increase usability and personalisation.
Last month, Juniper Research said that more firms are expected to install security solutions on their mobile devices.
The study showed that 54.5 million units were shipped in the three months, while 174.2 million were sold in the whole of 2009.
Ramon Llamas, senior research analyst with IDC's mobile devices technology and trends team, commented: 'Increasingly, mobile phone users are seeking greater utility from their devices beyond telephony and messaging, and converged mobile devices fulfill that need.'
Kevin Restivo, a senior research analyst with the group, added that 2009 allowed Google's Android and Palm's webOS to show the ways that new operating systems can boost smartphone functionality.
He also predicted that new technologies and applications to be launched this year will increase usability and personalisation.
Last month, Juniper Research said that more firms are expected to install security solutions on their mobile devices.
