Lyra Research, the digital imaging authority (www.lyra.com), forecasts that the installed base of camera phones in the Asia-Pacific region will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21.9 percent from 2005 to 2010, topping 600 million camera phones in 2010. Lyra's new report Pictures at Hand: 2006 Worldwide Camera Phone Market Report presents a worldwide view of camera phone and image capture and print forecasts, market trends, and analysis of the future for camera phones worldwide. For more information or to order the report, visit www.lyra.com.

Newton, MA (PRWEB) October 10, 2006 -- Lyra Research, the digital imaging authority (www.lyra.com), forecasts that the installed base of camera phones in the Asia-Pacific region will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21.9 percent from 2005 to 2010, topping 600 million camera phones in 2010 (see figure: http://prweb.com/prfiles/2006/10/09/448774/AsiaPacificCameraPhoneMKT600m.jpg). While camera phone adoption in Japan and Korea has been firmly established, China and India represent two emerging markets poised for explosive growth. Large areas of these two countries are skipping right over wireline telephone systems and going straight to mobile infrastructure. Despite the fact that fewer handset models designed for these markets have camera functionality, the portion of low-cost handsets with basic cameras is sufficiently high that, over the next decade, Lyra expects hundreds of millions of people in these emerging markets will not only have their first telephone experience via a mobile phone, but also their first camera experience. Lyra's new report Pictures at Hand: 2006 Worldwide Camera Phone Market Report presents a worldwide view of camera phone and image capture and print forecasts, market trends, and analysis of the future for camera phones worldwide. For more information or to order the report, visit www.lyra.com.

"As the installed base of camera phones grows rapidly in emerging countries like China and India over the next five years, hundreds of millions of people who have never used a camera will take their first pictures with a camera phone," commented Steve Hoffenberg, Lyra's director of consumer imaging research. "In these markets, the accepted definition of a camera will not only include image capture functionality, but also display capabilities for instantaneous image sharing, and a wireless communications platform as well. This fresh-start adoption pattern, with no history or bias towards film or digital cameras, has profound implications for how differently the consumer imaging markets will develop in these regions, compared to the precedents in developed countries."

About the Related Report
Lyra recently published the report Dialing for Pictures: 2006 U.S. Camera Phone User Survey, which explores the demographics of consumers who own cell phones without camera functionality versus consumers who own camera phones. The report also examines how people use their camera phone; whether they print their camera phone pictures and, if so, where they print them; and how camera phone usage affects digital camera usage.

About Lyra's Consumer Imaging Intelligence (CII) Service
Supported by an experienced team of analysts and researchers, CII provides detailed analysis of the consumer digital imaging industry, products, and services. CII's innovative approach comprehensively tracks the nuances of the complete image life cycle-from capture to viewing, to printing and storing, to sharing online and in person. The unequaled breadth and sophistication of CII's exclusive Forecast 360 deliver a wealth of actionable data on consumer imaging products, services, and behaviors.

CII offers straightforward, practical insight, including well-crafted primary market research studies, perceptive industry analyses, accessible expert consultation, targeted industry news services, convenient e-mail briefs, and tailored annual briefings. Lyra's CII is indispensable for consumer imaging companies and firms in related industries such as Canon, Casio, Cingular, Flickr, Fuji Photo Film, Hewlett-Packard, Kodak, Lexmark, LG, Motorola, Nikon, Nokia, Olympus, Panasonic, Pentax, Photoworks, Samsung, SanDisk, Sanyo, Shutterfly, Sony, Sony Ericsson, Sprint Nextel, Verizon Wireless, Vodafone, and others.

For more information on Lyra's CII, visit http://www.lyra.com/lh3m.nsf/DigitalPhotography or contact Lyra's Brian Jones by phone at 1-617-454-2641 or by e-mail at first initial last name at lyra dot com.

Lyra Research: The Digital Imaging Authority
Lyra Research collaborates with imaging industry decision-makers worldwide, enabling clients to strengthen their market position and achieve profitable growth. Lyra's expert analysts and editors help clients devise and implement creative solutions to business challenges, arming them with competitive intelligence, strategic and tactical advice, news and analysis, and market forecasts.

Since 1991, Lyra's custom research and consulting, advisory services, award-winning journals, and innovative events have set the standard for analysis of imaging hardware, consumables, and digital photography markets.

Visit www.lyra.com to learn more about how Lyra can be your strategic business partner.

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