Mr Perret said that while mobile phones were hugely popular in Africa, most people used very basic mobiles or feature phones rather than the more sophisticated smartphones seen in the US and Europe.

BBC: Egypt phone

Next came the iPhone, which similarly revolutionised the smartphone market, while the iPad confounded some initial scepticism to prove hugely popular.

BBC: Apple shares fall as Jobs quits

If Romney is promising to curb hundreds of billions of dollars annually in tax preferences while leaving popular middle-class deductions and credits unscathed, he has set a hugely challenging goal for himself.

FORBES: How Will Romney Pay For Tax Cuts? Wouldn't You Like To Know.