Camera Phone Users Neglect Photo Features

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Of Those That Have Camera Phones Less Than One Third Actually Share Picture Messages with Other People

Research and Markets has announced the addition of Mobile Imaging Services--Focusing on the User Experience to their offering.

A camera is considered by many users to be one of the most desirable features in wireless handsets, yet, evidence suggests that only a tiny percentage of camera phones are used regularly to transmit pictures or to store for later use reports 'Mobile Imaging Services - Focusing on the User Experience'. Less than a third of camera phone owners indicated that they share picture messages with friends.

People who haven't yet purchased camera phones are very enthusiastic about all the uses for their images. However, once they start using their new phones, they are turned off by perceived poor picture quality, slow network speeds, and the difficulty of creating and sending pictures. Our survey found that very few pictures actually make their way out of the handset to be shared with others.

A recent report found the following:

• Those who now use camera or camcorder phones say that they are less likely to replace their phones in the near future than other users.
• There will be from 300-850 million mobile users that will send at least one image per month across the carrier network by 2010.
• Only one in 20 camera phone users prints pictures or stores them on carrier-provided web sites. 28% of current camera phone owners actually share pictures using messaging service, compared with nearly 60% who hoped to before purchasing their camera phones.

Mobile Imaging Services--Focusing on the User Experience covers the market for camera phones and related services. It includes results of and analysis of the 2005 Consumer Mobility Survey regarding camera phones and use of digital imaging services. This report is intended for any company involved with imaging: handset makers, mobile carriers, photofinishers, and any other segment that hopes to extend the current infrastructure for digital imaging to the mobile world.

The camera is considered by many users to be one of the most desirable features in a new wireless handset. Yet, anecdotal evidence suggests that, on a global basis, only a percentage of camera phones are used regularly to transmit, print, or store pictures on a web site or PC.

• Less than a third of camera phone owners surveyed indicated that they share picture messages with friends.
• Barely one in six (15%) send pictures to their personal computers over the carrier's network
• Only one in 20 stores pictures on carrier-provided web sites

More striking, though, is the difference between how prospective camera phone owners plan to use their phones compared with how current users actually do.

This report is intended for any company involved with imaging: handset makers, mobile carriers, photofinishers, and any other segment that hopes to extend the current infrastructure for digital imaging to the mobile world.

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c32987