HTC, Palm, Apple to push Taiwan smart cellular device shipments in 2Q09, says MIC
As telecom operators and distributors were aggressively trying to lower inventories and brand-name vendors continued to push back shipment schedules of new models, the overall performance of Taiwan smart cellular device (smartphones and PDA phones) makers in the first quarter of 2009 was not strong, with shipments reaching 6.72 million units, according to the Taipei-based Market Intelligence & Consulting Institute (MIC). Only the Apple iPhone 3G manufactured by Foxconn experienced strong shipments.
However the HTC Magic and Diamond 2 series, the Palm Pre produced by Foxconn, and the new iPhone series will be rolled out. Smart cellular device brands are expected to aggressively place orders with Taiwan makers, who will then see sequential shipment growth of 40% and on-year growth of 30% for the segment in the second quarter, MIC says.
The Android platform is one the hottest topics in the global industry in 2009. As for Taiwan companies, HTC has a technology lead of more than six months in terms of developing Android products. Furthermore, Asustek Computer and Acer, which have adjusted business models or have just entered the smart cellular device field, have also expressed their strong interest in developing Android-based products.
MIC analyst Edward Lin remarks, "Excluding HTC which has been successful in operating its own brand, opportunities for other Taiwanese makers to develop Android platform products currently are still unclear. This is mainly due to the fact that brands which support Android, such as Samsung and Motorola, still focus on in-house R&D and production, releasing few orders to Taiwanese manufacturers."
Furthermore, the open-source characteristics of Android also mean that makers have to make significant investments in R&D and put considerable effort into aligning software and hardware structures. "Internal resources of most Taiwanese ODM companies are still mostly concentrated in hardware design, and in the short term it will be difficult to change this situation. Therefore, currently Taiwanese companies which have opportunities to develop Android products are still companies such as HTC and Acer, which have sufficient R&D resources and capital," said Lin.
However the HTC Magic and Diamond 2 series, the Palm Pre produced by Foxconn, and the new iPhone series will be rolled out. Smart cellular device brands are expected to aggressively place orders with Taiwan makers, who will then see sequential shipment growth of 40% and on-year growth of 30% for the segment in the second quarter, MIC says.
The Android platform is one the hottest topics in the global industry in 2009. As for Taiwan companies, HTC has a technology lead of more than six months in terms of developing Android products. Furthermore, Asustek Computer and Acer, which have adjusted business models or have just entered the smart cellular device field, have also expressed their strong interest in developing Android-based products.
MIC analyst Edward Lin remarks, "Excluding HTC which has been successful in operating its own brand, opportunities for other Taiwanese makers to develop Android platform products currently are still unclear. This is mainly due to the fact that brands which support Android, such as Samsung and Motorola, still focus on in-house R&D and production, releasing few orders to Taiwanese manufacturers."
Furthermore, the open-source characteristics of Android also mean that makers have to make significant investments in R&D and put considerable effort into aligning software and hardware structures. "Internal resources of most Taiwanese ODM companies are still mostly concentrated in hardware design, and in the short term it will be difficult to change this situation. Therefore, currently Taiwanese companies which have opportunities to develop Android products are still companies such as HTC and Acer, which have sufficient R&D resources and capital," said Lin.
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