Smart Accessories

Unlike general accessories, smart accessories will interact with a handset or smartphone through standard or proprietary communication protocols (audio, USB, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Ant+, etc.) and an application that will leverage the processing capabilities of the handset or device. This report examines the business considerations relating to the development of smart accessories by handset OEMs and 3rd party accessory manufacturers. The technical enablement of smart accessories throughout the Bluetooth GATT architecture is discussed. Key emerging smart accessory segments such as fitness monitors, smart watches, and other Bluetooth accessories are forecasted through 2018.

Table of Contents

  • 1. SMARTER DEVICES REQUIRE SMARTER ACCESSORIES
    • 1.1. Smartphones Start the Shift toward Intelligence
    • 1.2. Definition of Accessories
    • 1.3. Definition of Smart Accessories
    • 1.4. Bluetooth v.4.0 Is the Key Technology Path for Smart Accessories
  • 2. SMART ACCESSORIES - BUSINESS CONSIDERATIONS
    • 2.1. Market Considerations for Smart Accessories
      • 2.1.1. Smartphones Are Driving Accessory Revenues
      • 2.1.2. Generic Accessory Value Propositions Are in Decline
      • 2.1.3. Accessories Are Becoming Commoditized
      • 2.1.4. Hardware Is Both a Differentiator and a Barrier to Entry to Applications
      • 2.1.5. Market Immaturity Creates Inefficient Product Development
    • 2.2. Mobile Device OEM Considerations for Smart Accessories
      • 2.2.1. Smart Accessories Will Not Be in the Box
      • 2.2.2. Device OEMs Are Currently Best Positioned to Develop Smart Accessories
      • 2.2.3. Smart Accessory Ecosystems as a Moat
    • 2.3. Third-party Accessory OEM Considerations for Smart Accessories
      • 2.3.1. Smart Accessory Development Will Require New Skill Sets
      • 2.3.2. The First App Is Always Free
  • 3. SMART ACCESSORIES - TECHNOLOGY ENABLERS
    • 3.1. Bluetooth v4.0
    • 3.2. Bluetooth Smart and Smart Ready
    • 3.3. Bluetooth IC Vendor Product Portfolios
      • 3.3.1. Broadcom
      • 3.3.2. CSR
      • 3.3.3. EM Microelectronics
      • 3.3.4. Marvell
      • 3.3.5. MediaTek
      • 3.3.6. Nordic Semiconductor
      • 3.3.7. Qualcomm
      • 3.3.8. STMicroelectronics
      • 3.3.9. Texas Instruments
      • 3.3.10. Toshiba
      • 3.3.11. Smart SDKs
    • 3.4. Other Communication Protocols
      • 3.4.1. USB
      • 3.4.2. NFC
      • 3.4.3. Audio Port
  • 4. SMART ACCESSORIES - DEVICE AND SEGMENT OPPORTUNITIES
    • 4.1. Bluetooth v4.0 Dual-mode Device Shipments
    • 4.2. Mobile Phone Accessories
    • 4.3. PC Peripherals
    • 4.4. Media Tablet Accessories
    • 4.5. Health, Medical, and Fitness Accessories

Tables

  1. List of Ratified GATT Services, World Market, 2012
  2. List of Key Bluetooth Smart IC OEMs, World Market, 2012
  3. Bluetooth v4.0 Dual-mode Device Shipments, World Market, Forecast: 2013 to 2018
  4. Bluetooth-enabled Handset Accessories by Product Category, World Market, Forecast: 2013 to 2018
  5. PC Accessory Shipments by Bluetooth Type, World Market, Forecast: 2013 to 2018
  6. Media Tablet Accessory Shipments by Bluetooth Type, World Market, Forecast: 2013 to 2018
  7. Health and Medical Accessory Shipments by Bluetooth Type, World Market, Forecast: 2013 to 2018
  8. Sports and Fitness Accessory Shipments by Bluetooth Type, World Market, Forecast: 2013 to 2018

Charts

  1. Bluetooth-enabled Device Shipments by Bluetooth Version, World Market, Forecast: 2013 to 2018
  2. Aftermarket Accessories Revenues, World Market, Forecast: 2013 to 2018