According to research firm IDC, there were more smartphones shipped in the last quarter of 2010 than personal computers. Looking at the numbers, PC shipments number 92.1 million units while 100.9 million portable devices were sold. This means that for the first time in history – more consumers  picked up smartphones than computers…representing a huge shift that the electronics industry should take note of.

Of the smartphone vendors, the numbers are astounding.  Nokia shipped 100.3 million units in 2010, followed by Research in Motion with 48.8 and Apple, who shipped 47.5 million phones in the same time frame. Apple’s astonishing rise should be noted, because in 3 short years of being in the smartphone market, they are number 3 globally in terms of units shipped.  Wow.

Yes, But Why Are Phones Outselling Computers?

If you’re wondering this, like me – look at the market for both persconal computers and mobile phones. Can you name ONE innovative change that’s happened in personal computing in the last 24 months? I can’t.  Yes processors have advacanced incrementally and USB 3.0 is out now, but these are not revolutionary changes.

However, in the mobile industry we have seen touch screens, location awareness, and super fast 3G (and now 4G) networks come to fruition, meaning owning a smartphone gives every customer a new world of possibility. Also, with smartphones coming down in price so much over the last 2 years (you can easily pick up a very capable device for $100 now on contract) – smartphones are more approachable for more of the world’s citizens.

It’s an exciting time and we’re just at the beginning!