Smartphones are mobile phones with additional advanced computing capabilities, distinguishing them from standard feature phones. Smartphones have the ability to run more complicated applications than feature phones and often run on open operating systems, possess stronger processers, have greater storage capabilities and feature larger screens. The first Smartphone, as reported in USA Today, the IBM Simon, was sold by BellSouth in 1992 and included a calendar, a note pad, games, and allowed the user to email and fax. The IBM Simon was also the first phone to use touch screen technology. In 1997, Ericsson produced the GS88, the first phone to be called a “Smartphone.” Since the 90s, the smartphone market has changed dramatically. As of 2010, Smartphones now make up 20 percent of the handset market, with global Smartphone shipments increasing by a whopping 74 percent from 2009 to 2010. Smartphone revenues reached $99 billion in 2010, accord to a report from Strategy Analytics. Apple, Nokia, and Research in Motion (RIM) cashed in, with Apple in the lead, commanding 29 percent of the total market revenue. According to a report by Canalys, 97 percent of Smartphones on the market run on operating systems produced by Android, Symbian, Apple, RIM, or Windows Mobile. Only 3 percent of Smartphones run on alternate operating systems. The most popular smart phones on the market currently include Apple’s iPhone 4, Motorola’s Droid 2 and Droid X, HTC’s EVO 4G and  Droid Incredible, and RIM’s BlackBerry Torch, BlackBerry Bold, and BlackBery Curve.

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Broadcom sampling 802.11ac chips for entry-level devices

Broadcom said its newest 802.11ac chips for entry-level PCs, tablets and smartphones are now sampling, and volume production is slated for the second half of the year.

While Samsung & Co. are away, the smaller OEMs will play

Absent from the CTIA Wireless 2013 conference here this week were the big, company-sponsored product unveilings or parties (or combination thereof) that used to dominate this show. In fact, many big-name companies, including Samsung Electronics, BlackBerry ( NASDAQ:BBRY ), HTC, LG Electronics, Nokia ( NYSE:NOK ) and others did not send their mobile executives to the show.

Mallinson: Nokia needs to stay the course with Windows Phone

Nokia cannot afford to lose its nerve now despite calls for a Plan B from some irate shareholders. It needs to keep its focus and not undermine its best efforts.

Leap suggests its LTE roaming deal is with Sprint, hints at more device financing options

LAS VEGAS--Executives from Cricket provider Leap Wireless strongly hinted that the company's LTE roaming deal is with Sprint Nextel, which already has a nationwide 3G CDMA roaming deal with Cricket. 

In pictures: The phones of CTIA Wireless 2013

LAS VEGAS--Trade shows like CTIA Wireless 2013 are often the scene of phone and device introductions. Handset makers often hope to grab conference-goers with new and innovative devices. Check out this slideshow to see them all .

HTC loses chief product officer amid a wave of departures

LAS VEGAS--The troubles for HTC continue as the company acknowledged that its chief product officer has left the company, the most high-profile departure in a stream of executives and employees who have left recently.

UAE claims mobile broadband first for harmonising 700/800 MHz bands

The telecoms regulator for the United Arab Emirates has allocated spectrum in both the 700 MHz and 800 MHz bands for mobile broadband services, making the UAE the first country in Europe, the Middle East and Africa to harmonise the allocation of frequencies in the two bands.

Jolla unveils first smartphone running Sailfish OS, targets 2013 launch

Finnish startup Jolla formally announced the first smartphone running its open-source Sailfish OS, hoping to spark interest in a the fledgling platform as it seeks to compete with goliaths like Apple, Google, BlackBerry and Microsoft in the growing smartphone market.

NPD: Global smartphone shipments to outstrip feature phones in 2013

Another research firm, this time the NPD Group, has predicted that shipments of smartphones will overtake those of basic and feature phones for the first time this year, as adoption of smartphones accelerates.

Intel's ex-chief Otellini laments missing the iPhone as new boss Krzanich looks to the future

Former Intel CEO Paul Otellini expressed regret that the silicon giant did not or was not able to get its chips inside Apple's iPhone. The comments highlight Intel's current attempts to catch up in mobile--which Otellini's successor, Brian Krzanich, has pledged to do.