Smartphone usage is skyrocketing across the globe. A forecast from eMarketer indicates that the number of smartphone users will grow from 1.31 billion users in 2013 to more than 2 billion by 2016, representing 25 percent of the world’s population. By 2018, eMarketer expects smartphone usage to further increase to 2.56 billion users.

So, why the growing popularity of smartphones? Their size and connectivity allows information to be shared and aggregated beyond anything ordinary humans have previously had the capacity to realize. They are also inexpensive to use. These factors explain the obsession with smartphones—the average American is buried in one for over two hours every day, according to a Business Insider article.

The smartphone also serves as a solution for today’s communications platforms. In addition to telephone functions, standard smartphone features typically include email, text/SMS messaging, and Web browsing. They also boast an address book to facilitate social media networking features; therefore, contact information from a variety of social applications, such as LinkedIn, can be synced on the go.

Communications providers, aware that their target audience is accustomed to smartphones, are even beginning to offer unified communications (UC) solutions that allow companies to access their business functions from their smartphones, mingling business and personal interests. The benefits of a well-planned UC system enables businesses to lower expenses, maximize work time and minimize travel.

Case in point, 3CXPhone for iPhone is an iOS VoIP client specifically designed to work seamlessly with 3CX Phone System from anywhere in the world. The app allows you to use your iPhone or iPad as your office extension, meaning you see the presence and status of your colleagues and employees, and that calls between you are free. You can also set up conference calls and manage your voicemail via Wi-Fi or 3G.

Click here to see more of 3CXPhone for iPhone features.