Smartphones to take 16% of cellphone market

A new study shows the market for smartphones will continue to increase over the next few years, with global shipments growing from 14.6 million units last year to 125 million units in 2009, RCR Wireless reports.

Research firm ARC Group said the worldwide smartphone market would comprise 16% of the overall mobile phone market, up from 3% last year.

Microsoft has signed software partnerships with two Indian outsourcing firms, Infosys Technologies and Wipro, and has stepped up plans to hire more programmers in India, reports AP.

The deals will enable Infosys and Wipro to use Microsoft technologies to build software for their clients. Infosys and Microsoft said they would together invest $8 million in the new venture, while Wipro, which also concluded a similar deal, declined to specify the investment.

Fujitsu Siemens Computers has introduced its new tablet PCs, the Stylistic ST502x Series. The portable slate computers utilise a special pen for inputting instead of a keyboard, weigh 1.56kg and come with ultra-low-voltage Intel Centrinomobile technology, as well as standard wireless LAN and Bluetooth.

The Stylistic`s display is legible throughout an almost 180-degree viewing angle, enabling multiple participants to follow presentations directly from the screen.