Smartphones, applications launching at CES key to stimulating mobile phone market in 2010

New full-featured "superphones" and an onslaught of mobile applications are set to be unveiled at the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in January.

Market researchers are predicting that these products will kick-start a range of mobile device market trends in 2010, while at the same time fuelling mobile application purchases and stimulating the dwindling mobile phone market.

Every year, consumer electronics products launched at the prestigious international CES set a high standard for technology releases during the year.

Since the first edition of CES in New York in 1967, many products introduced at the event have taken the electronics market by storm. The Videocassette Recorder (VCR), the Compact Disc Player, High Definition Television (HDTV), Microsoft's Xbox, IPTV, the OLED TV and Palm's Pre are just some of the high-profile electronics products previewed or launched at CES.

Consumer demand for connected smartphones is growing quickly and technology companies are racing forward to be the first to release the first truly next-generation mobile device, hoping it will be the one to stimulate the stagnating mobile phone market.

"Smartphones will probably be a big subject during the CES, as this product is probably the way to stimulate the [mobile phone] category," Claude Terrier, Digital World Team, GfK Retail and Technology, told Relaxnews on December 15.

Many technology blogs expect Google to unveil their Nexus One smartphone at CES. Palm is also rumored to debut an upgraded version of the Palm Pre, namely the Palm Pre Plus, (or an as-yet-unnamed smartphone) at the Consumer Electronics Show.

Mobile applications are also set to feature at the 2010 event.

"2010 CES Marks the Year of the App," declared CEA research director and economist Shawn DuBravac on CES's website.

"Apps will be everywhere at CES this year and only the discerning eye will be able to see the choice winners and game changers. Ultimately, this story is about control of content and information flow."