Tech is at a tipping point

As smartphones replace dumb phones and tablets surpass laptops, the world is shifting to a more mobile world this year -- and it's not looking back.

Smartphones surpass dumb phones

tech tipping point smartphones feature phones

The number of smartphones shipped worldwide overtook, for the first time, the number of feature phones shipped earlier this year.

About 216 million smartphones were shipped during the first quarter, compared to the 212.5 million "dumb" phones.

By the end of 2013, researchers at IDC expect smartphones to account for almost 53% of all mobile phone shipments worldwide.

The change is partly due to a increase in demand from emerging markets. IDC expects future growth to slow in the United States where smartphones surpassed feature phones last year.

  @KatieLobosco - Last updated June 20 2013 07:06 AM ET

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