The rapidly 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 In-Stat.
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.," says 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."
In-Stat found the following:
- Survey data shows 49 percent of MP3 player owners own an Apple iPod.
- Sales of low-end, Flash-based players were especially strong in 2005, particularly in Asian markets where players start at $25.
- HDD-based models will evolve into multimedia entertainment devices capable of audio, video, and imaging playback.
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.," says 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."
In-Stat found the following:
- Survey data shows 49 percent of MP3 player owners own an Apple iPod.
- Sales of low-end, Flash-based players were especially strong in 2005, particularly in Asian markets where players start at $25.
- HDD-based models will evolve into multimedia entertainment devices capable of audio, video, and imaging playback.