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200 Million Ultra-mobile Devices to Ship in 2013

From a virtual “standing start” of just 10 million units in 2008, shipments of ultra-mobile devices (UMDs — the umbrella term for ultra-mobile PCs, netbooks and Mobile Internet Devices) are expected to exceed 200 million in 2013.

According to ABI Research principal analyst Philip Solis, “The UMD market will still be small compared to the wireless handset market, but with a forecast revenue of nearly US$27 billion in 2013, it will certainly be significant.”

While netbooks account for about 90% of today’s UMD market, they will fall to a distant second place by 2013, while MID (Mobile Internet Device) shipments surge ahead to take nearly 68% of the market, with Ultra-mobile PCs (UMPCs) remaining a niche category.

To put the UMD market forecasts into perspective, the 2013 estimate of 200 million shipped devices is roughly the anticipated size of the worldwide laptop PC market.

“As this market enters its rapid growth phase and starts to evolve,” Solis continues, “we will see considerable experimentation with different distribution channels: some will sell direct from the manufacturer, some via retail outlets, and some through mobile operators who will subsidize them to encourage new data plan subscriptions.” [ABI Research]

Novatel Gets FCC OK For Tiny USB Modem

By Jim Barthold

Proving once again that size really does matter--especially when you're lugging around a laptop and don't want to add an extra ounce if you can avoid it--Novatel Wireless is touting the fact that it's received FCC approval for a wireless data micro modem that it calls the "world's smallest USB modem."

The device is optimized to provide high-speed Internet connectivity for any North American EVDO Rev. A network-compatible device with a USB port. The primary target is probably laptops, but the company also points to desktops (where size is not a big consideration), tablet PCs and PDAs.

With integrated file storage capabilities via MicroSD, the units should be available in the fourth quarter through Novatel's tier one operator customers. For those who tend to get lost, the units will also include onboard GPS capabilities. [FierceWireless]

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