[In-Stat survey finds early adopters lack enthusiams when it comes to handsets capable of music and tv functionality.]

Scottsdale, AZ -- The cellular phone industry's hype machine has been in high gear over innovative music- and TV-centric devices and services, but a new In-Stat report shows that some early adopters are lukewarm about them. Fewer than 9% of respondents to an In-Stat early adopter consumer survey were very or extremely interested in buying a cell phone capable of playing MP3 or other music files, and less than 11% were very or extremely interested in broadcast TV functionality, the high-tech research firm says.

"Cell phone manufacturers, carriers and content providers face serious challenges in convincing these end users of the benefits of music- or video-centric phones," said Neil Strother, In-Stat analyst. "The survey did reveal some positives from respondents, however, including a willingness to spend a modest amount more for music or TV phones, and for additional storage."

In-Stat also found the following:

* Only in the past year or so have smartphones started to build a significant market, after several years of hits and misses. A similar road is likely ahead for multimedia cell phones.

* Some mobile programming is quite clear: news and weather are winners.

* Payment schemes need more flexibility, however.

More...

Back to Headlines...