News | April 29, 2009

Mobile Computing And Consumer Electronics Devices To Drive The Next Wave Of Rapid GPS Growth

Although cellular handset will continue to dominate shipments of devices with integrated GPS, the next growth spurt will come from mobile consumer electronics (CE) and mobile computing applications, reports In-Stat (http://email.in-stat.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/hBQvE0Ro2ri0K560DHgc0EV). Mobile computing and CE devices will comprise over 100 million units in 2013.

"With growing attach rates and market maturity, GPS chipset providers must carefully evaluate which technologies to integrate into single chip solutions," says Jim McGregor, In-Stat's Chief Technology Strategist. "Integration of the RF front-end and base band processor may not be enough. For example, which radio makes the most sense to integrate with, given the single mini-card slot of PC-based platforms?"

Recent research by In-Stat found the following:

  • Although the number of devices shipping with integrated GPS is increasing, the attach rates and the devices shipments have been hampered by the faltering economy.
  • By 2012, there will be more CE devices with integrated GPS shipping than there are stand alone personal navigation devices.
  • Mobile computing holds a lot of promise for GPS with 26 million GPS enabled units shipping in 2013, but there are barriers. In the netbook segment for example, cost, integrating yet another antenna, only one mini-card slot will inhibit adoption.
  • CPUs must be integrated (ARM, x86, Mips, etc.) to manage the host processor load.
  • Infrastructure radios (802.11, Wi-Max, LTE etc.) are likely candidates for integration.

The research, "GPS – ‘Locating' Its Way into Mobile Devices (http://email.in-stat.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/hBQvE0Ro2ri0K560HHKG0Ed) " (#IN0904443SI), covers the worldwide market for GPS chipsets and end products. It includes:

  • Total Available Market and GPS attach rate forecasts for mobile CE and mobile computing through 2013.
  • GPS chipset unit and revenue forecasts through 2013.
  • GPS supplier breakdowns.
  • Analysis of device OEM needs by market segment.

For more information on this research or to purchase it online, please visit: http://email.in-stat.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/hBQvE0Ro2ri0K560E3Ss0E6 or contact a sales representative: http://email.in-stat.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/hBQvE0Ro2ri0K560EcTx0Ez

This research is part of In-Stat's Mobile Technologies (http://email.in-stat.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/hBQvE0Ro2ri0K560E3Ss0E6) service, which analyzes the technologies that are enabling and changing the next generation of mobile devices, including processors, graphics, modems, GPS, displays, memory, storage, and human interfaces.

About In-Stat
In-Stat's market intelligence combines technical, market and end-user research and database models to analyze the Mobile Internet and Digital Entertainment ecosystems. Our insights are derived from a deep understanding of technology impacts, nearly 30 years of history in research and consulting, and direct relationships with leading players in each of our core markets. In-Stat provides its research through reports, annual subscriptions, consulting and advisory services to inform critical decisions. Technology and semiconductor vendors, infrastructure and device manufacturers, service providers and media companies worldwide rely on partnerships with In-Stat's tenured, experienced staff and on our in-depth market intelligence to support critical business, product and technology decisions.

In-Stat is a strategic segment of the $9B Reed Elsevier global information network, with access to an expansive worldwide electronic network, extensive technology databases and well-informed personnel. As a member of Reed Business Information, In-Stat is a division of the largest business-to-business publisher in the U.S.

SOURCE: In-Stat