What is the perceived functionality of an i-phone? Do such devices (or similar from NOKIA and Sony-Ericsson) cast MP3 devices obsolete?

No list of trends would be complete without a mention of Apple's iPhone, a device that many handset manufacturers will be looking to beat in 2008 in order to attract a consumer market that is ever more interested in advanced wireless services. Manufacturers have been quick to jump on the bandwagon and add devices to their portfolios that mimic the most sought-after features of the iPhone. Even software developers have seized opportunities that the phone's release have created.
Some of the characteristic features of i-phone include:
* Touch-screen technology
* Visual Voicemail
* Full Web browsing
* Use of higher-quality materials

When it comes to music phones in general, almost all devices that hit the market ship with an integrated MP3 codec, dock connectors, enhanced or expandable SD memory and a full range of audio accessories (especially Sony's Walkman series, Nokia N91 and N92). However it is yet hard to tell whether they will render mp3 players obsolete. Some factors include pricing, customer attitude towards device convergence, audio quality, codec range, user friendly synchronization software and battery life.

Sources:
1) http://www.betanews.com/article/CES_Trend_6_The_rush_to_render_the_iPhone_obsolete/1199295053/2
2) http://www.mobile88.com/news/read.asp?file=/2007/3/21/20070321234101&sec=coverstory

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