Expectations for this market are high, with In-Stat forecasting unit shipments to reach 286 million by 2010. Drivers for this thriving market include falling price points, the availability of legitimate subscription and pay-per-download online music sites, increasing Flash memory capacities, and enhanced functionality.
Sales of low-end, Flash-based players were especially strong in 2005. In a landmark move, Apple replaced its popular HDD-based iPod Mini with the Flash-based iPod Nano; and vendors rushed to launch competing models, which further propelled Flash-based player demand.
In-Stat's latest report, Portable Digital Audio Players: Market Growth Exceeds Expectations (#IN0603155ID), includes results of a consumer survey about MP3 player ownership, profiles of leading portable audio player manufacturers and suppliers, as well as forecasts for portable audio player shipments and revenue.