Canalys: Global smartphone shipments surged in Q1

smartphone market shareThe smartphone market got even hotter in the first quarter, according to research firm Canalys, with stronger shipments from Nokia (NYSE: NOK) and Research In Motion (NASDAQ: RIMM) leading the way. According to Canalys, smartphone volumes topped 55.2 million units in the quarter, representing a 67 percent increase from the first quarter of 2009. Nokia's shipments rose 56 percent and RIM's shot up 45 percent, according to the firm. Indeed, RIM's smartphone showing was enough to vault it into the top five global handset makers listing, according to another research firm, IDC. Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) and HTC also experienced tremendous growth, with shipments up over 100 percent compared with last year. Release