While stereoscopic 3D screens and cameras are still rare nowadays, once they get a little less expensive and microprocessors more powerful, they will quickly enter mainstream market. By 2015 the majority of all smartphones will have stereo-3D (S3D) cameras and screens, according to Jon Peddie Research. The addition of S3D cams and screens will enable new ways of control and better applications.

Based on its research, JPR believes that just as cameras and GPS became mainstays of mobile phones and tablets, the next must-have feature for mobile devices will be S3D. Jon Peddie Research predicts in a new study on mobile devices that 80% of smartphones will have stereo-3D cameras and screens by 2015. Those S3D cameras and screens will not only improve video games, but the addition of two cameras will enable gesture based controls, advanced augmented reality applications, and visualization with depth.

Smartphones and tablets may not be the only mobile devices to embrace S3D. However, in order to support 3D, processors inside those gadgets will need to be powerful. JPR says the processors powering these new mobile devices will be vastly more advanced than today's, consuming remarkably little power, built in the latest nanometer technology, and delivering "unbelievable performance and functionality".

"Although all of the devices will share some functionality and capabilities, no single device will kill any of the others, at least immediately. Each device will have a different form-factor, primary function and price. They will be connected all the time," said Jon Peddie, the head of JPR

JPR looked at several mobile devices that use advanced semiconductors or system-on-chip (SoC) and found that the demand for mobile devices has exploded creating a market for over two billion processors. More than 16 processor companies and 4 IP suppliers will be chasing this market. Compared to the four or five processor companies chasing the PC market that makes the mobile processor market over populated by 4:1, which raises question whether a consolidation is coming?

In general, Jon Peddie Research expects:

• Over 750 million smartphones will ship in 2016
• Feature and other phones will hit 869 million units in 2016
• Almost 300 million tablets will ship in 2016
• E-book readers shipments could reach 100 million a year by 2016
• Handheld game consoles will hit 91 million by 2016

Tags: Stereo 3D, JPR