The era of enterprise mobility is now in vogue. Two decades back, it meant a lot to own a computer. Some ten years ago, cell phones became a craze despite their high prices. Mobile companies have been continually applying their entire R&D at improvising the features of the cell phone. The result — a miniature computer-cum-cell phone — known as the ‘Smartphone’.

“A smartphone is a mobile phone offering advanced capabilities beyond a typical mobile phone. It uses an identifiable operating system with the ability to add applications (for enhanced data processing, connectivity or entertainment), in contrast to regular phones, which only support sandboxed applications,” says Sumeet Gugnani, director, Mobile Communications Business, Microsoft India.

In terms of features, most smartphones support full function e-mail capabilities with the functionality of a complete personal organiser. Other functionality might include an additional interface such as a miniature QWERTY keyboard, a touch screen, a built-in camera, an accelerometer, built-in navigation hardware and software. These phones have the ability to read business documents in a variety of formats — PDF and Microsoft Office, media software for playing music, browsing photos and viewing video clips, Internet browsers or just secure access to company mail.

MS Windows mobile has six device partners in India, (HTC, HP (iPAQ), iMate, O2, Motorola and Palm) and is a leading player in the smartphone segment with over 35 models including more than 17 stylus devices.

So is this smartphone easy to use? “Windows Mobile powered phone provides the familiar Microsoft look and feel, as well as the services that consumers are used to, on their personal computer,” says Gugnani. Echoing his views is Ajay Sharma, Country Manager, HTC (India), who says, “The MS Windows mobile comes with stronger PC/Laptop synchronisation and media streaming capabilities. Tighter security features for enhanced data protection have been incorporated in the platform as well.”

“For example, if the consumer loses this phone and wants to protect confidential data that is on the phone, Windows Mobile allows them to erase (or wipe) data from a remote location,” adds Gugnani.

Of course, technology comes at a price. Two years ago, a business phone like an iMate, an iPAQ or an O2 would have cost you anywhere between Rs 30,000 and 40,000. Today, smartphones are available at anything starting from Rs 11,000.

What is driving this huge (nearly 70%) price drop among smartphones, despite increasing quality and features of products?

Smartphone use is witnessing a high growth rate in India, observes Gugnani. An increased demand for smartphones is resulting in many new players entering the Indian market with a wide range of products. All these factors have in turn, led to reduction in prices of smartphones.

Also, smartphones are no longer just a style statement, feels Sharma. Factors like changing work paradigm and the need for anytime, anywhere connectivity among enterprises, has led to the increasing need for use of smartphones, opines Gugnani. “This is the era of enterprise mobility and it will in fact, grow to become a necessity item than a comfort or luxury gadget,” he says.

The IDC Worldwide estimates the mobile worker population to increase to 878.2 million in 2009. While the converged devices market is said to reach 250 million this year, it may be fair to say that the demand and supply for technology remains a constant.