According to research, global Android smartphone shipments will grow 900% in 2009. Apple iPhone OS will be the next fastest-growing smartphone operating system in 2009, with a 79% growth rate. Apple, Google's Android platform, Research In Motion's BlackBerry OS, Microsoft's Windows Mobile platform and the Symbian OS are all competing for real estate on new smartphones. AT&T today announced a new ad campaign that will highlight the carrier?s relatively high number of smartphone subscribers. Research In Motion co-CEO Jim Balsillie said that, despite the current hype around netbooks, smartphones will end up ruling the day due to their pocketable design. The comments are notable as they come a day after Verizon Wireless announced it will launch an HP netbook. Nonetheless, Balsillie said smartphones like RIM's BlackBerry would win out. What's more, mobile content users spend about the same amount of time with content (39 minutes), as the average user does texting (38 minutes) or talking on their mobile phone (44 minutes). The wireless industry caught touchscreen fever in the wake of the iPhone 3G launch. Almost every major handset maker has released at least one touchscreen device to compete with Apple's smartphone. The market has matured a bit and FierceWireless took a look at the top touchscreen devices in the first quarter of 2009. The list is based on data supplied by Nielsen, which conducted a survey of 75,000 mobile subscribers. The freemium business model ? whereby applications are offered on a free to download basis but subsequently offer incremental revenues from subscription-based services and additional content options - will become increasingly prevalent over the next five years. Vodafone is to launch its own online app store this autumn to offer software applications to the company's 256m customers Requirements get tighter on developers looking to get their apps on Apple's App Store, as the Store's admission criteria again find their way into the spotlight. Nokia told Forbes that its new Ovi app store will open later this month with about 20,000 applications ready for download.
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