Smart connected device sales reach nearly 1 billion in 2011, IDC says

Sales of smart connected devices, which include tablet computers and smartphones, reached nearly 1 billion units last year, a March 2012 report from IDC says.

In the research firm's Worldwide Quarterly PC Tracker, Mobile Phone Tracker, and Media Tablet Tracker report, IDC analysts note that revenue from smart connected devices topped $489 billion. They attribute the strength of the market to the enthusiasm for tablets and smartphones among both consumer and enterprise users.

"Whether it's consumers looking for a phone that can tap into several robust 'app' ecosystems, businesses looking at deploying tablet devices into their environments or educational institutions working to update their school's computer labs, smart, connected, compute-capable devices are playing an increasingly important role in nearly every individual's life," IDC vice president of clients and displays Bob O'Donnell said.

The market should remain strong moving forward, as the report predicts shipments of these devices to reach 1.1 billion units this year and more than 1.8 billion in 2016.

A separate study from IDC highlights the record fourth quarter that tablets experienced to close out 2011. According to the firm, shipments increased 155 percent year over year.