The digital home industry came of age in 2005 as global revenues surged past the $100 Billion mark for the first time, according to new research from the Strategy Analytics Connected Home Devices service.
Star products such as digital flat panel TVs, MP3 players and portable games consoles helped drive retail revenues to $118 Billion, a growth rate of 25 percent. 2006 will be another record year, according to the study, with revenues forecast to exceed $150 Billion. Hot growth sectors in 2006 will include entertainment PCs, next generation games consoles such as Xbox 360 and PS3, and new HD-DVD and Blu-ray Disc players.
"Consumers worldwide are embracing the digital home," says Peter King, Director, Director, Connected Home Devices. "Further waves of new technologies and emerging digital product segments will support significant revenue growth for years to come."
David Mercer, Vice President and Principal Analyst, notes, "The next few years will see unprecedented challenge and opportunity for technology players throughout the digital home industry. With new entrants like Intel and Apple betting billions on future market leadership, established leaders like Sony and Samsung must deploy next-generation technologies that support innovative customer experiences."