GPS, Accelerometers and Gyroscopes Will Add Functions to Many Smartphones by 2013, Says ABI Research
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- ABI Research anticipates that the sensor-driven user interface (UI) will be an emergent theme in the next wave of mobile UI innovation—turning objects, locations, and people into networked, interactive elements. By 2013, 85% of smartphones will ship with GPS, over 50% will ship with accelerometers, and almost 50% will have gyroscopes.
“The growth of sensors in smartphones will be driven by applications such as gaming, location awareness, and augmented reality, as well as the expansion of motion-based commands,” says senior analyst Victoria Fodale. “The high-level operating system of a smartphone, which provides open application programming interfaces (APIs), has facilitated the use of data from cameras, sensors, and GPS receivers.”
When an accelerometer is combined with a gyroscope, developers are able to create applications that can sense motion on six axes: up and down, left and right, forward and backwards, as well as roll, pitch, and yaw rotations. This gives a mobile device similar functionality to a game controller such as the Nintendo Wii.
Prompted by Apple’s UI innovations with the iPhone, smartphone OEMs have poured resources into UI design and development. Many OEMs, particularly those using Google’s Android OS, developed their own custom UI overlays.
Sensors will also help OEMs to innovate beyond a touchscreen UI for differentiation in the marketplace. However added functionality must be balanced with ease of use. “There is an inherent paradox with technology,” says Fodale. “As mobile devices integrate more technology, the UI must be kept simple enough to be intuitive for the user.”
A new ABI Research study, Mobile Device User Interfaces (http://www.abiresearch.com/research/1003813), examines the key market and technology trends for mobile device UIs. It highlights the UIs of leading device OEMs, and examines UI technologies including frameworks, touchscreens, GPS, sensors, and other components. Forecasts include smartphones shipments by OS and region and mobile augmented reality application downloads, as well as the attach rate for key sensor and other components.
The report is included in the Smartphones & Mobile Devices Research Service (http://www.abiresearch.com/products/service/Mobile_Devices_Research_Service) which also bundles other Research Reports, Research Briefs, Market Data products, ABI Insights, ABI Vendor Matrices, and analyst inquiry support.
ABI Research provides in-depth analysis and quantitative forecasting of trends in global connectivity and other emerging technologies. From offices in North America, Europe and Asia, ABI Research’s worldwide team of experts advises thousands of decision makers through 26 research and advisory services. Est. 1990. For more information visit www.abiresearch.com, or call +1.516.624.2500.
CONTACT:
ABI Research
Christine Gallen, +1-516-624-2542
pr@abiresearch.com
KEYWORDS: United States Europe Asia Pacific North America Arizona
INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Technology Consumer Electronics Hardware Networks Telecommunications Other Technology Mobile/Wireless
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