Earlier this year, ABI Research predicted that dual-mode cellular/Wi-Fi handset shipments were set to double between 2008 and 2010. It would seem that their crystal ball was accurate. In a press release issued today, ABI said its analysts have confirmed that 2009 shipments are on track to reach 144 million handsets shipped, with forecasts for 2011 at just over 300 million.

iPhone continues to dominate the smartphone market, but according to a brand new study from JiWire (full details coming Monday), RIM’s Wi-Fi-enabled BlackBerries, including the 8120, 8820, and 9530, as well as the Palm Pre and the Nokia N-95 are popular with consumers using Wi-Fi from their mobile phones.

"The picture may be unique to each carrier, but in the end Wi-Fi can offer most operators those two key benefits: extended reach and/or network load reduction," said analyst Michael Morgan in the ABI release.

Get the full story here at Wi-Fi Planet