289 million delivered in Q1, or was it 291.6?

IDC claims that vendors shipped a total of 291.6 million units in Q1, up 14.3% over Q1 2007. IDC's Ryan Reith, says that, "Continued growth in the low-cost segment will mean average selling prices (ASPs) will be generally lower than in the past, but this will be balanced somewhat by further expansion in the converged mobile device or smartphone segment, especially in mature markets."

Although they seem to use a different calculator to arrive at a total number of units shipped, both companies acknowledge that global concerns regarding food and fuel prices will have an impact that begs caution going forward. ABI stresses what seems to be an indisputable fact: Mobile devices have proved to be a 'lifestyle necessity,' rather than a mere luxury accessory.

Didn't that happen fast?