The worldwide mobile phone market saw mild sequential growth in the third quarter (3Q 2009), according to IDC’s Worldwide Mobile Phone Tracker report. Year-on-year growth remained negative, but improved from the first half of 2009. Mobile phone shipments totaled 287.1 million units worldwide in 3Q 2009, down 6.0% from a year earlier, but up 5.6% from the second quarter.

As GPS navigation becomes more accessible with the increase of mobile phone based navigation systems, US consumers overwhelmingly see Point-of-Interest (POI) search as the only other feature they need, according to “PND Owners Unlikely to Discontinue Using Their GPS handheld,” from the Strategy Analytics Automotive Consumer Insights (ACI) service. Almost three-quarters of navigation consumers in the United States insist on the GPS navigation system feature. Sixty-two percent of navigation consumers in the United Kingdom agreed. However, for 87% of French consumers, the speed camera warning feature is the top priority, and German purchasers require real-time traffic information.

Smartphone prices are falling as shipment volumes increase, and a new study from ABI Research finds that while in 2007 only 18% of smartphones on offer cost under $200 retail price, that percentage has already grown to 27% this year. By 2014, say the firm’s forecasts, 45% of the smartphones shipped that year will be priced below $200. These numbers highlight a rapid change in many consumers’ attitudes about smartphones, and a corresponding shift in vendors’ and mobile operators’ sales and marketing strategies. Prices will hold at a certain point, we may never see a $30 smartphone. But over time, smartphones will take a substantial part of the mainstream handset market.

Isobar interactive agency Molecular, Inc. announced its collaboration with Nikon to create an innovative mobile applications for the Apple iPhone handset that provides people with quick, easy access to both educational and inspirational photo information right from their mobile phone. The free software application, called Nikon Learn & Explore is available for download. Molecular was responsible for design, implementation and QA of the Learn & Explore app, as well as all modifications to the Content Management System. Molecular has been working with Nikon USA since 2007 and is the agency responsible for creating Nikon’s current website.

We recently received new information that was leaked out about the Sony-Ericsson Kurara mobile phone. photos from the Sony-Ericsson Kurara now show an HD (High Definition) logo, so that we can assume that the Kurara handset is capable of taking video footage. It is actually absurd that such pictures are being circulated, as professional journalists are bound by a Non Disclosure Agreement (NDA) and have to wait to publish until the official information is released. So their good behavior leaves them at the back of the line to distribute crumbs.... In any case, with the official information, the details about the new Sony-Ericsson Kurara handset will become clearer.

Nokia Life Tools, the service which gives consumers in small towns and rural areas the ability to get a range of livelihood and life-improvement services on their mobile phones, will launch in Indonesia in early December 2009. Nokia also announced five new affordable and easy-to-use mobile phones which will support Nokia Life Tools, and these cell phones will also be available globally. With affordability and ease of use as the cornerstones of solutions for emerging markets, the new Nokia 2690 mobile phone supports Nokia Life Tools, and brings all the features that consumers around the world have come to expect.

Nokia Life Tools, the service which gives consumers in small towns and rural areas the ability to get a range of livelihood and life-improvement services on their mobile phones, will launch in Indonesia in early December 2009. Nokia also announced five new affordable and easy-to-use mobile phones which will support Nokia Life Tools, and these cell phones will also be available globally. With affordability and ease of use as the cornerstones of solutions for emerging markets, the new Nokia 2220 slide mobile phone supports Nokia Life Tools, and brings all the features that consumers around the world have come to expect.

Nokia Life Tools, the service which gives consumers in small towns and rural areas the ability to get a range of livelihood and life-improvement services on their mobile phones, will launch in Indonesia in early December 2009. Nokia also announced five new affordable and easy-to-use mobile phones which will support Nokia Life Tools, and these cell phones will also be available globally. With affordability and ease of use as the cornerstones of solutions for emerging markets, the new Nokia 1800 mobile phone supports Nokia Life Tools, and brings all the features that consumers around the world have come to expect.

Nokia Life Tools, the service which gives consumers in small towns and rural areas the ability to get a range of livelihood and life-improvement services on their mobile phones, will launch in Indonesia in early December 2009. Nokia also announced five new affordable and easy-to-use mobile phones which will support Nokia Life Tools, and these cell phones will also be available globally. With affordability and ease of use as the cornerstones of solutions for emerging markets, the new Nokia 1616 mobile phone supports Nokia Life Tools, and brings all the features that consumers around the world have come to expect.

Nokia Life Tools, the service which gives consumers in small towns and rural areas the ability to get a range of livelihood and life-improvement services on their mobile phones, will launch in Indonesia in early December 2009. Nokia also announced five new affordable and easy-to-use mobile phones which will support Nokia Life Tools, and these cell phones will also be available globally. With affordability and ease of use as the cornerstones of solutions for emerging markets, the new Nokia 1280 mobile phone supports Nokia Life Tools, and brings all the features that consumers around the world have come to expect.