The worldwide smartphone market is expected to grow 49.2% in 2011 as more consumers and enterprise users turn in their feature phones for smartphones with more advanced features, according to the IDC research group (http://www.idc.com). The group also says that Windows Mobile will rise to second place among smartphone operating systems by 2015 with Android in first place and the iOS in third place.

According to the "(IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker,"smartphone vendors will ship more than 450 million smartphones in 2011 compared to the 303.4 million units shipped in 2010. What's more, the smartphone market will grow more than four times faster than the overall mobile phone market.

"Android is poised to take over as the leading smartphone operating system in 2011 after racing into the number 2 position in 2010," sys Ramon Llamas, senior research analyst with IDC's Mobile Devices Technology and Trends team. "For the vendors who made Android the cornerstone of their smartphone strategies, 2010 was the coming-out party. This year will see a coronation party as these same vendors broaden and deepen their portfolios to reach more customers, particularly first-time smartphone users."

Nokia's recent announcement to shift from Symbian to Windows Phone will have significant implications for the smartphone market going forward, he adds.

"Up until the launch of Windows Phone 7 last year, Microsoft has steadily lost market share while other operating systems have brought forth new and appealing experiences," says Llamas. "The new alliance brings together Nokia's hardware capabilities and Windows Phone's differentiated platform. We expect the first devices to launch in 2012. By 2015, IDC expects Windows Phone to be number 2 operating system worldwide behind Android."