Smartphones reaching tipping point in US

18.9 per cent of US mobile users now have a smartphone, according to research released by The Kelsey Group.

What's more, 49.2 per cent plan to buy one in the next two years, making this a pretty clear tipping point.

The benefits for the mobile games industry should be clear. Research by firms like M:Metrics has consistently indicated that smartphone users Do More Stuff with their phones, including buying games.

In theory, the more smartphones there are, the more people will become active mobile game purchasers - although cynics may point out that these consumers will be doing a lot of other things on their handsets too, which may compete with gaming.

Nevertheless, the research backs up the statements of publishers like Gameloft, who've labelled the last year or two a transition period for the mobile industry, as new smartphone platforms take time to roll out.