The latest generation of online social networking is called moblogs-a combination of the words mobile and blog, reports In-Stat. The abundance of Websites dedicated to moblogging and photoblogging indicates there is a growing interest in combining social networking with camera phone technology, the high-tech market research firm says.

"This growing focus provides financial opportunities for mobile device networks, social networking site operators, and software developers," says Jill Meyers, In-Stat analyst. "Mobile device networks can benefit through traditional methods of data plans, as well as per-message and per-photo charges."

Recent research by In-Stat found the following:

• Software developers have a unique opportunity to focus on developing a series of mobile Internet applications for a greatly desired market segment.
• More than 60% of US mobile phone users have camera functionality in their phones this year, up from about 40% in 2006.
• In-Stat predicts more than one billion camera phones will be in use by year-end 2007.

The research, "Camera Phones and Social Networking-A New Focus", defines social networking, discusses the migration of social networks to mobile technology, details the history of camera phones, and explores the controversy surrounding camera phones, as well as the transformation of mobile online communities. Also included are the results of an In-Stat US consumer survey about camera phone interest and usage. For more information on this research or to purchase it online, please visit: http://email.in-stat.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eBCC40M3aZa0K560ErrN0Eq