In-Stat has predicted that by 2013, more than 100 million “apps store compatible mobile phones will be shipping.

We think that may be a conservative estimate, if Nokia gets up to scale with its Ovi Store quickly and Apple continues to find success with future models of its iPhone. Not to mention Windows Mobile, BlackBerry, Palm and Symbian.

But the more we think about it, the more puzzled we get about what exactly counts as an “apps store compatible phone”.

After all, surely Java and BREW handsets count - they might get their downloadable apps from operator portals now, but they'd certainly be compatible with app stores too.

In-Stat may be focusing on smartphones in its research, but we're of the opinion that by 2013, hundreds of millions of app store compatible handsets will be shipping, especially in emerging markets.

Meanwhile, that 100 million figure is based on “smartphones having a strong app store orientation will reach 30 per cent of the global smartphone market by 2013”. Will 70 per cent of smartphones really have no app store attached?

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