Mobile users: 'We want photo messaging!'

Though it has it doubters, photo messaging tops the list of features mobile users want on their next handset - above other options such as colour screens, polyphonic ringtones, FM radio and phone-to-PC email.

According to a study of 1,306 mobile users in the UK by Continental Research, only four per cent currently have camera-phone handsets - commonly marketed as photo messaging, picture messaging or media messaging phones - which typically use the MMS standard. However, that figure will rise to around 14 per cent, or about 6.1 million users, after the next round of upgrades.

The top reasons for wanting MMS photo messaging are: 'It is fun' (cited by 50 per cent of those wanting it), 'Handy to have a camera at all times' (33 per cent), 'Can capture the unexpected' (26), 'Other people I know have it' (25), 'People want to send me photos' (19), 'Useful for work' (18) and 'Keep up to date' (17).

Though there have been a handful of business applications for MMS - one well-known second hand car-selling service is working on a push MMS application and estate agents have been much talked about as potential users - the report notes how advertising of services to date has focused on the fun aspect.

However, not all is rosy for the medium. The research found that while almost half of 15-24-year-olds are prepared to pay extra for an MMS-enabled handset when they next upgrade, the desire trails off the older you are.