Contact: Matt O'Keefe
Phone:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
7 AM EDT,

InfoTrends/CAP Ventures Launches Worldwide Mobile Imaging Study

(Weymouth, MA) ... Camera phones are entering a stage of rapid growth, and they will soon become the most common image capture device in the world. Over 175 million camera phones were shipped in 2004. By the end of the decade, the global population of camera phones is expected to surpass 1 billion – more than double the number of digital still cameras. To further explore this dynamic market, InfoTrends/CAP Ventures is conducting a comprehensive research study entitled

“Although handset shipments are booming, consumers are not using their camera phones to their fullest extent,” commented Jeff Hayes, a Director at InfoTrends/CAP Ventures. “Our research shows that the number of photos taken, shared, and printed on camera phones is relatively low in relation to digital still cameras, resulting in a significant unrealized revenue opportunity for the mobile imaging industry.”

InfoTrends/CAP Ventures’ study will assist mobile imaging technology vendors, wireless service providers, and retail photofinishers in expanding the market for camera phones and related imaging services. Study participants will gain a global perspective that is based on insights concerning the experiences and differences in four major geographic markets, namely China, Japan, Western Europe, and North America.

The research will answer the following key questions:

• What values and benefits do consumers derive from their camera phones?
• How is usage changing over time?
• What are the differences in mobile imaging use and consumer behavior by key geographic markets?
• What do consumers view as the primary limitations and sources of frustration with their camera phones and related services?
• What are the relationships between camera phone photo capturing, viewing, sharing, archiving, and printing activities?
• How important is viewing vs. sharing vs. printing?
• How does the mobile imaging market segment by key demographic and behavioral characteristics?
• How do consumers prefer to view, manage, share, and print their camera phone pictures?
• In the eyes of customers, how important is easy retail photo printing from their camera phones? What methods do they prefer?
• What product features and services will increase camera phone photo activity?
• What are the key features and service thresholds for making the camera phone a consumer’s primary camera?
• What are the risks and opportunities for mobile imaging under different product design, use case, and business models? How will ARPU (Average Revenue Per User) change?
• What technology investments and alliances must vendors make to maximize their revenue opportunities?

Research for the study will include over 2,000 interviews with technology vendors, end-users, and photo service providers across a variety of market segments. The study will identify market segments, critical success factors, customer requirements, usage patterns, purchase plans, and other items that will drive vendors’ product, service, marketing, and sales activities.

For more information on this study or to sign up as a participant, contact Matt O’Keefe at , ext. 115 or via e-mail at

InfoTrends/CAP Ventures is the leading worldwide market research and strategic consulting firm for the digital imaging and document solutions industry. We provide research, analysis, forecasts, and advice to help clients understand market trends, identify opportunities, and develop strategies to grow their businesses. Additional information about InfoTrends/CAP Ventures is available on the Web at

CONTACT: Matt O'Keefe, InfoTrends tel. , fax , , Weymouth, MA 02189,