Mobile Phone Imaging Market Research Report from ABI Research

"Opportunities for Driving Usage of Camera Phones through Click/Send/Print

Mobile phones with embedded digital cameras will outnumber non-camera phones in sales volume by 2006. By 2008 more than one billion camera phones will be in service in markets throughout the world. This report identifies the drivers for camera phone growth, explains how mobile imaging will evolve, and discusses why camera phones will eventually displace portions of the stand alone digital camera market. Camera phone imaging components are reviewed, as well as how those components affect overall image quality. The report forecasts camera phone shipping volumes, camera phones in service and camera phones shipped by number of pixels. Forecasts extend from 2004 through 2010 and cover the total world market. Vendor profiles include image storage and printing companies, image software companies and camera phone manufacturers."

Pushing Camera Phones To Print - Forbes.com

"New York - It might seem like camera phones are everywhere these days, but by the end of 2006, there will be twice as many of them--doubling to 112 million from 69 million units last year. Yet, a study released by a research firm this week sent a tough message to the makers of camera phones and photo printers, as well as wireless carriers hoping to profit from all those camera phone pictures.
According to consumer and retail research firm NPD Group, about 73% of consumers surveyed are generally satisfied with their camera phones and more than 80% of those who use the camera feature on their phones save the picture on the phone. But that's where the cash flow stops. Only 20% of them send the images over wireless networks, 14% upload them to a computer and about 3% print the pictures.
'Consumers are mostly using the camera phone as a digital photo album,' says Neil Strother, the NPD analyst who wrote the report. 'Sharing, storing and printing…are not the predominant usage.'"

A Comparison of Online Digital Photo Print Services

A Comparison of Online Digital Photo Print Services: "Online Digital Photo Print Service Comparison
Do you feel like you got a great deal on your digital camera but are spending a fortune getting your photos printed at your local camera shop or drugstore? Never fear - there are lots of online print service choices. But, you need to be careful when comparing different labs and options.
To help you choose the best online photo printing service, here's a comparison table of online photo labs, compiled and maintained by geekbooks.com (used with permission).
But, don't just compare each lab's print costs. Make sure you consider the combined printing and shipping costs.
Also, some labs offer great prices for bulk and subscription plans, but we recommend trying out a lab first before committing to a prepaid plan"

Camera Function Tops List of Frequently Used Features on Cell Phones

Camera Function Tops List of Frequently Used Features on Cell Phones, According to InfoTrends’ Study

(Weymouth, MA) April, 25 2006... According to recent research by InfoTrends, the camera is the most popular mobile application. Although consumers may not be purchasing phones initially for their imaging components, it seems that once they try the camera feature, they are pleasantly surprised by its utility.
Of course, as digital cameras on cell phones become more widely available, the function is graduating from a special feature to one of a list of product specifications. InfoTrends’ data shows that 29% of U.S. Internet users now have a camera phone, up from 18% in June of 2005. As the market moves towards an early majority phase, behaviors will change accordingly. For example, the number of images captured per month has been cut by more than 60% from 2004 to 2005. The cause of this decline can be attributed to some consumers no longer purchasing camera phones for “fun” and “spontaneity,” but rather because the handset was the most affordable and had the best overall features."

How many people share photos with their camera phone?

Mark Peters : February 17th 2006 - 01:15 CET

How many people share photos with their camera phone? :
Research and Markets has announced the addition of Mobile Imaging Services - Focusing on the User Experience to their offering. A built-in camera function 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 digital 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 digital picture messages with friends. People who haven't yet purchased camera phones are very enthusiastic about all the uses for their images.

Camera Phone Market - Share Pictures
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.

Research and Markets - Mobile Imaging Services
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.

Camera Phones - Transmit, print, or store pictures
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.