Multi-mode VoIP handsets will succeed, but only if...

As our IT Facts blog reports today, Infonetics Research says that WiFi VoIP handset revenue totaled $54.7 million in last year on sales of some 143,000 units.

The research firm also says that Wi-Fi/cellular handset revenue hit $6.7 million last year.

I agree with Infonetics that both form factors will grow exponentially. To me, though, the main challenge is power management. The more capability in your device, the higher the power suck.  I do know progress is being made, but will the pace of improved power management keep up with these souped up devices we are talking about here?

That remains to be decided, In My Haughty Opinion.

But if batteries can be made to live longer, here's what will happen in multi-mode VoIP handsets:

In the consumer space, growth will be driven by the expansion of VoIP services and broadband wireless gateways. And in the enterprise space, these bundled functionalities will equip business users to seamlessly go back and forth between 3G cell networks, home networks, Wi-Fi networks, and enterprise Wireless LANs.