In-house developed user interface, ecosystem and applications crucial for smartphones, says sources

The introduction of in-house developed user interfaces, the establishment of an ecosystem, and application stores will be crucial for competition in the smartphone segment, in addition to the previous focus on the choice of operating systems, according to sources at Taiwan handset makers.

In a bid to offer customers a consistent user experience,Taiwan-based HTC (High Tech Computer) and Korea-based Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics (LGE) have been trying to adopt a unified user interface for their smartphones running on different operating systems, the sources said.

User satisfaction on mobile experience, online applications and data services under the ecosystems built up by Apple and RIM (Research in Motion) have contributed to growing sales of iPhones and BlackBerry smartphones, the sources added.