Imagine a world where one mobile device serves as the primary communication and computing tool for any individual, one device to access the Internet, to make voice calls, send text messages, play music and watch videos, and run applications--one device for both work and for play. Before long, this vision will be reality. According to a recent survey of Internet leaders, activists, and analysts, mobile devices will provide the primary connection to the Internet for most people by 2020.

The once clear-cut distinction between mobile phones and PCs continues to blur. Emergence of netbooks and smartphones crystallizes the concept of converged devices. Looking beyond today's market to the next billion mobile devices, imagine new generations of phones and ultra-mobile PCs competing for market share.

Many users already show a preference for streamlined communication devices and happily pay a premium for them. Enterprises and business professionals are adopting connected devices, like the Blackberry and Palm Treo, with reasonable expectations of support from their IT departments. Moreover, adopters aren't just professionals. Popularity of the iPhone extends beyond affluent users, with working and middle-class purchasers choosing it to consolidate services in a single device with greater functionality. As economic pressures tighten spending, devices that replace multiple consumer electronics gadgets become more attractive. OEMs of mobile devices are following this lead and are developing multimedia-enabled devices in quick order: the recently introduced Nokia N97 and HTC Touch Diamond both combine traditional phone capabilities with mobile computer features.

The critical role of virtualization
As OEMs create the next generation of more capable devices, virtualization technology will play a critical role in addressing market needs and preferences. Gartner forecasts that by 2012, more than half of smartphones shipped will embed virtualization technology. The benefits of virtualization include increased processor utilization to reduce bill-of-materials (BOM) cost; protection of high-value IP; and system software that meets current and emerging security requirements.

Virtualization allows multiple operating systems to run on one processor. Rather than dedicating one processor for each operating system, virtualization lets designers better use one processor, optimizing device BOM for superior price-performance. Virtualization also increases flexibility and usability with multicore processors, accelerating development and cutting development cost.