• USA Today, Monday, November 27, 2006 12:15 PM

Smartphones--cell phones with a PC-like operating system that download and run computer programs--are coming down in price, and will make up about 8% of the market this year, according to research firm Gartner. Most smartphones carry advanced data features such as e-mail, instant messaging, and word processing. Palm, Samsung, Motorola and Nokia are among the companies that have recently launched products. Smartphones used to be bulky and cost about $500, but design and price "are becoming consumer-friendly," says Nokia spokesman Keith Nowak. Nokia's new, slim E62 smartphone sells for as little as $100 with a service contract. Carriers like smartphones because they encourage users to buy data services, which usually range from about $10 to $50 extra a month.

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