MP3 player market to reach 286 million units by 2010
Friday, 10. November 2006, 09:05:32
Don’t look for iPod sales to slow down yet despite the constant talk that cell phones will replace MP3 players. The growing worldwide market for flash-based and hard disk drive (HDD)-based players will jump from 140 million units in 2005 to 286 million by 2010, reports the In-Stat research group. Drivers for this market include falling price points, the availability of legitimate subscription and pay-per-download online music sites, increasing Flash memory capacities and enhanced functionality, the high-tech market research firm says.
“Apple continues to dominate the market for MP3 players, particularly in the U.S.,” said Stephanie Guza, In-Stat analyst. “Apple competitors continue to face significant challenges, such as a constrained Flash memory supply, device and software integration, and the ‘cool factor’ associated with Apple’s iPod line of products.”
Recent research by In-Stat found that:
° Consumer survey data shows 49 percent of MP3 player owners own an iPod.
° Sales of low-end, Flash-based players were especially strong in 2005, particularly in Asian markets where some players are priced as low as US$25.
° HDD-based models will continue to evolve into multimedia entertainment devices capable of audio, video and imaging playback.
So don’t cry for the iPod just yet. Still, it will be interesting to see how the device evolves and if Apple will ever release the much-rumored iPhone.
“Apple continues to dominate the market for MP3 players, particularly in the U.S.,” said Stephanie Guza, In-Stat analyst. “Apple competitors continue to face significant challenges, such as a constrained Flash memory supply, device and software integration, and the ‘cool factor’ associated with Apple’s iPod line of products.”
Recent research by In-Stat found that:
° Consumer survey data shows 49 percent of MP3 player owners own an iPod.
° Sales of low-end, Flash-based players were especially strong in 2005, particularly in Asian markets where some players are priced as low as US$25.
° HDD-based models will continue to evolve into multimedia entertainment devices capable of audio, video and imaging playback.
So don’t cry for the iPod just yet. Still, it will be interesting to see how the device evolves and if Apple will ever release the much-rumored iPhone.
WIDGETIZE