Local makers of chips, software and other parts that sell to the world’s biggest cell phone manufacturers likely had a good 2007.
Consumer demand for cell phones was stronger than expected last year, according to data from Stamford, Conn.-based market researcher Gartner Inc.
Worldwide sales of cell phones totaled more than 1.2 billion handsets, up 16% from 2006.
That’s good news for companies such as Irvine’s Broadcom Corp., Aliso Viejo’s Smith Micro Software Inc., Anaheim’s Multi-Fineline Electronix Inc. and others.
Some OC startups also are making a bid for business from cell phone makers, including two Irvine chipmakers, WiSpry Inc. and Axiom Microdevices Inc.
The biggest demand for phones came from up-and-coming markets, according to Gartner.
“Emerging markets, especially China and India, provided much of the growth as many people bought their first phone,” said Carolina Milanesi, research director for mobile devices for Gartner.
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Epicor’s Klaus: lifetime achievement award |
Higher-end phones with lots of bells and whistles boosted demand in the U.S., Japan and Western Europe.
“Consumers’ appetite for feature-laden phones was met with new models, packed with TV tuners, GPS, touch screens and high-resolution cameras,” Milanesi said.
Overall cell phone sales are set to slow this year.
Gartner expects them to fall to a more moderate 10% growth rate in 2008.
Finland’s Nokia Corp., which counts Multi-Fineline and Broadcom among its suppliers, sold the most phones with about 39% market share in 2007, Gartner’s data showed.
No. 2 was Schaumburg, Ill.-based Motorola Inc., with about 14% of the market.
No. 3 was South Korea-based Samsung Corp., with 13% share. No. 4 was Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB with 9% market share and No. 5 was Korea’s LG Electronics Inc. with 7%.
The balance, including Apple Inc., had 19% of the market last year.
Leaders Recognized
A handful of leaders from local tech businesses were honored last month at the 14th annual technology industry awards hosted by Torrance-based Technology Council of Southern Calif-ornia, a trade group that covers Los Angeles and Orange counties.
The event attracted more than 300 people and took place in Los Angeles.
The group recognized George Klaus, executive chairman of Irvine’s Epicor Software Corp., with a lifetime achievement award.
Klaus, who has served as chairman, chief executive and president of Epicor since 1996, handed off the chief post last month to Thomas Kelly as part of a succession plan that was already in place.
Jim McCluney, chief executive of Emulex Corp., was named chief executive of the year.
Some of the award winners include:
n Entrepreneur of the Year: Tim Vanderhook, chief executive of Irvine’s Specific Media Inc., runs a targeting system for online advertising.
n Hardware and Storage Company of the Year: Aliso Viejo’s QLogic Corp., a maker of gear for data storage networks.
n Internet and New Media Company of the Year: Irvine’s HireRight Inc., which does employee background screening.
n Entertainment and Gaming Company of the Year: Irvine’s K2 Network Inc., which licenses online and PC-based video games.
n Mobile and Communications Company of the Year: Aliso Viejo’s Networks In Motion Inc., a maker of GPS software for cell phones.
Girl Power
Software kingpin Microsoft Corp. has a soft spot for tech-savvy girls.
The company is set to host a series of “Digigirlz Day” events, which invites girls ages 12 through 17 to learn to use computers and other high-tech gadgets.
Microsoft, which has a technology center in Irvine, will open its doors on March 24 to host about 75 girls.
Most will be from local schools and some will be brought in from inner-city schools in Los Angeles.
The program is to show girls “that technology is innovative and fun and that women shouldn’t be intimidated by math and science subjects,” said spokeswoman Brittanie Ngo.
Last year the local Microsoft office added a flashy demo center at its office, which acts a consulting and sales office.
Microsoft business customers can get tutorials on how to better use the software and get help setting up the office tasks such as videoconferencing, Internet phone service and document sharing, according to Matt Kestian, director of the center.
