iPhone, Omnia Among Global Hits

By Kim hyun-cheol

Staff Reporter

Weathering the global economic meltdown, smartphones like Apple's iPhone and Samsung's Omnia are breaking into international mobile phone markets amid growing demand for multi-functioning electronic devices, a recent report said.

Along with eco-friendly, energy-saving, and do-it-yourself goods, ``digital convergence'' is one of the key phrases defining this year's hit products worldwide, KOTRA said Wednesday in an analysis of some 150 hit items in 21 countries.

A typical example of digital convergence, a smartphone is a mobile device that offers more advanced capabilities than a standard one, such as PC-like functionality.

With iPhone and Blackberry, by RIM, sharing pole position in the market, Samsung's latest product is ramping up the battlefield in high-end handsets.

Omnia premiered in Asia and Europe in June and made its U.S. debut this week on Verizon's 3G network. It comes preloaded with a variety of features, including Microsoft's Office suite and Samsung's own touch-based music player.

The report also mentioned that Samsung's duel SIM card phone, which enables owners to have two different numbers on one device, is gaining popularity in emerging markets.