eMarketers reports that media tablets and ereaders have become the preferred platforms for consuming online digital media. Moreover, 2010 sales of both types of device were strong, according to the laterest market study by International Data Corporation (IDC).
Worldwide, 10.1 million tablets were shipped in the forth quarter of 2010, up from 4.5 million in Q3 2010. Ereader shipments rose from 3 million in 2009 to 12.8 million in 2010.
eMarketer estimates worldwide tablet sales will reach 24 million this year, about 80 percent of which will be Apple iPads.
Research from Boston Consulting Group (BCG) confirms that tablet and ereader purchase intentions are high -- especially among those who are already familiar with the devices.
Half of internet users in the U.S. market who knew about tablets and ereaders planned to buy one in the next year, and 70 percent were considering a purchase in the next three years. Furthermore, the overall interest was nearly as high worldwide.
And, internet users also indicated they were, by and large, willing to pay for more multimedia content. An analysis of the optimal price most respondents were willing to pay found potential tablet users thought $5 to $10 was about right for digital books or monthly subscriptions to digital book or digital newspaper services.
However, the price point for for digital magazine subscriptions or single copies came in a bit lower.