CommunicAsia 2009 opens in Singapore on Tuesday, a week after the US technology titan unveiled a new version called the iPhone S featuring a video camera as well as faster connection speed.

Analysts say competitors have been left playing catch-up to the iPhone, which has shaken up the industry and created a legion of new Apple fans drawn to the device's sleek design, touchscreen interface and myriad of applications.

Phones featuring multimedia functions and Internet connectivity are known as smartphones. Together with fast 3G networks, they work like pocket-sized computers that keep users connected anywhere, anytime.

Thanks to the iPhone, Apple has emerged to become the world's third largest maker in the fast growing smartphone segment, selling 18.66 million units since the device hit stores in 2007, according to technology research house Gartner.

The stakes this week are high for mobile phone makers because the region is shaping out to be a key battleground as they jostle for a share of the burgeoning market for smartphones.

'If you look at the Asia Pacific, this is the biggest show in town,' said Mr Marc Einstein, industry manager for mobile and wireless communications with Frost and Sullivan consultancy. 'It's important for them to display their strengths,' he said.

Within Asia Pacific, consumers in the more developed economies such as Australia and Singapore are jumping quickly on the smartphone bandwagon, according to Ovum consultancy.

'For the past two years, we have seen strong moves by consumers and business users towards higher-end devices,' said Mr Nathan Burley, a regional telecommunications analyst with Ovum's office in Melbourne.

'Consumers are seeing the value of having more connectivity in their pockets,' he said. -- AFP