Beancounters are saying that the next big growth area will be dial up movies and music and it will be the mobile phone giants that will lead the way. According to IDC, mobile phone outfits have had enough of flogging handsets and want to get rich by peddling entertainment and lifestyle content.

While the sales of Mobile phones will fall this year, the manufacturers want to make a bit of cash on the side by offering entertainment services. Aloysius Choong, IDC research manager that no one has worked out the best way of selling these content and services.

Last week Sony Ericsson launched a new service called PlayNow Kiosk, which allows its handphone users in the Asia-Pacific region to download the latest movies, television series, games and music from its retail stores.

IDC liked the Kiosk idea because it created an opportunity for impulse buys and instant gratification.