Smartphones, netbooks lining up as replacement devices

The new comScore data, released this week, certainly cuts against that perception. While 43% of iPhone users earn in excess of $100,000 annually, the strongest growth since the launch of the 3G-capable version has come from those earning less than median household income, the research firm reported. Since June 2008, iPhone adoption rose 48% among those earning between $25,000 and $50,000 per year – compared to just 21% with those earning over $100,000.

“As an additional household budget item, a $200 device plus at least $70 per month for phone service seems a bit extravagant for those with lower disposable income,” said Jen Wu, comScore senior analyst and author of the report. But, Wu added, that fails to take into account the fact that for many users, a smart device like the iPhone is often used “in lieu of multiple digital devices and services.”

Phone-centric devices like the iPhone, the G1 and the touch-screen-based Blackberry Storm look to be strongly appealing to users who want a richer, more powerful experience with their personal mobile devices.

At the same time, the smaller yet increasingly powerful (and cheap) netbook market segment is drawing much attention -- and new market entrants as well. In addition to HP, Dell recently debuted its first netbooks, joining others including Asus, Toshiba and LG in rolling out such devices. In addition to their relatively low cost, netbooks share a few common characteristics, including smaller screens (typically 8, 9 or 10 inches); mobile-ready, low-power processors; four-cell or six-cell batteries, for instant-on capabilities and adequate run-times; and low-cost software, including often running free Linux as the operating system.

PC makers in Europe and Asia have subsidized laptop prices with wireless data deals, though the trend hasn’t made it to the US – at least not yet. HP’s floating of the idea this week – including saying it was talking with AT&T and Verizon as possible partners – could foretell a new opportunity for mobile operators, which are already benefitting strongly from the ability of smartphones to drive data usage on their networks. Talking with the Wall Street Journal, Kevin Frost, head of HP’s consumer notebook division, said “the big picture for these netbooks is that kind of [wireless subsidy] model.”