World MP3 Players Market

World MP3 Players Market

This report analyzes the worldwide markets for MP3 Players in Thousands of Units. The major product segments analyzed are Flash MP3 Players, and Hard Disc Drive (HDD) MP3 Players. The report provides separate comprehensive analytics for the US, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of World. Annual forecasts are provided for each region for the period of 2000 through 2015. The report profiles 195 companies including many key and niche players worldwide such as Apple Computer, Inc., Archos Inc, Beijing Huaqi Information Digital Technology Co., Ltd., Cowon Systems, Inc., Creative Technology Ltd, Creative Labs Inc, Creative Labs Europe, MP3 Plus Ltd., Acer Inc., LG Electronics, Philips Electronics N.V., Philips Electronics North America, ReignCom Ltd., iRiver America Inc., Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., Sony Corporation, Sony Corporation of America, TGE Group, and Thomson. Select Technology Vendors discussed in the report include Cirrus Logic, Hitachi Global Storage Technologies, Iomega Corporation, Intel Corporation, Inventec Appliances Corporation, Lexar Media Inc., Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Limited, Micronas Semiconductor Holding AG, Samsung Semiconductor Inc., SanDisk Corporation, Seagate Technology LLC, Telechips Inc., Texas Instruments Inc., and Toshiba Corporation. Market data and analytics are derived from primary and secondary research. Company profiles are mostly extracted from URL research and reported select online sources.

MP3 PLAYERS MCP-1437
A GLOBAL STRATEGIC BUSINESS REPORT


CONTENTS


I. INTRODUCTION, METHODOLOGY & PRODUCT DEFINITIONS

Study Reliability and Reporting Limitations I-1
Disclaimers I-2
Data Interpretation & Reporting Level I-2
Quantitative Techniques & Analytics I-3
Product Definitions and Scope of Study I-3
Flash MP3 Players I-3
Hard Disc Drive (HDD) MP3 Players I-3


II. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1. Market Overview II-1
Analysis by Region II-1
Asia-Pacific: Poised to Witness Bright Growth II-1
Table 1: Global Market for MP3 Players (2000-2010):
Geographic Regions Ranked by CAGR - Asia-Pacific (Excl.
Japan), US, Europe, and Japan (includes corresponding
Graph/Chart) II-1
Analysis by Product Segment II-2
Table 2: Global Market for Flash MP3 Players (2000-2010):
Geographic Regions Ranked by CAGR - Asia-Pacific (Excl.
Japan), US, Europe, and Japan (includes corresponding
Graph/Chart) II-2

Table 3: Global Market for HDD MP3 Players (2000-2010):
Geographic Regions Ranked by CAGR - US, Europe, Asia-Pacific
(Excl. Japan), and Japan (includes corresponding
Graph/Chart) II-2

2. Market Dynamics II-3
A Sketch of Present Industry Scenario II-3
Aggressive Surge in Demand for Flash MP3 Players II-3
Issues and Trends II-3
Global MP3 Players Market: Key Growth Determinants in the
Order of Ranking II-4
Rise in Penetration of MP3 Players Among Households II-4
Table 4: Global MP3 Players Market by Online Population
(2005): Percentage Breakdown of Purchase Intentions of New
Purchasers and Present Owners in Major Markets (includes
corresponding Graph/Chart) II-5
Appetite for Convenience and Cost Drives Market Growth II-5
Low-Cost MP3 Players Gaining Prominence II-5
Online Music Boosts MP3 Players Sales II-6
Piracy Via Internet Knocks Music Sales II-6
MP3 Players Tunes the Digital Music Market II-6
Devices with Built-in MP3 Players - Not a Galloping Threat II-7
Trade Fairs & Expos Form the Showcase of Novelties II-7

3. Competitive Landscape II-8
From the Humble Beginnings II-8
iPod - A Breakthrough in the MP3 Players Market II-8
Emerging Players in the Emerging Market II-9
Table 5: Global MP3 Players Market (2004 & 2006): Percentage
Breakdown of Leading Players by Volume Sales - Apple,
ReignCom, Creative, Samsung, Cowon and Others (includes
corresponding Graph/Chart) II-9

Table 6: Global Flash MP3 Players Market (2004 & 2006):
Percentage Breakdown of Leading Players by Volume Sales --
ReignCom, Samsung, RCA, Creative and Others (includes
corresponding Graph/Chart) II-10

Table 7: Global HDD MP3 Players Market (2004 & 2006):
Percentage Breakdown of Leading Players by Volume Sales --
Apple, Creative, Archos, ReignCom, RCA, Rio and Others
(includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-10
Stifling Competition Breeds Novelties II-11
Key Releases in the MP3 Players Market - 2005 II-11
Key Releases in the MP3 Players Market - 2004 II-14
Key Releases in the MP3 Players Market - 2003 II-16
Key Releases in the MP3 Players Market - 2002 II-17
Key Releases in the MP3 Players Market - 2001 II-17
Key Releases in the MP3 Players Market - 2000 II-18

4. Product Overview II-19
An Overview of Information Appliances II-19
What is MP3? II-19
MP3 Compression Technology II-19
Quality of an MP3 File II-20
Coding Schemes/Standards for Digital Audio II-20
Compressed Audio Players II-20
Categorization of Compressed Audio Players II-20
MP3 Player - A Breakthrough in the Digital World II-21
MP3 File in an MP3 Player II-22
Skeletal Layout of a Typical MP3 Player II-22
Power Supply II-22
Data Port II-22
File Transfer Rate by Mode of Connection Between a Standard
MP3 Player and a Personal Computer II-23
Memory II-23
Playback Controls II-23
Microprocessor II-23
Display II-23
Digital Signal Processor (DSP) II-23
Amplifier II-24
Audio Port II-24
Operating Levels of an MP3 Player II-24
Taxonomy of MP3 Players II-24
Hard Disc Drive (HDD) MP3 Players II-24
Flash MP3 Players II-24
Features of MP3 Players II-25
MP3 Players by Storage Capacities II-26

5. MP3 Players - Technology Sphere II-27
Technology Reaching Incredible Heights II-27
Digital Music World Keen on Advanced Technologies II-27
Memory - The Key Determining Factor II-27
Memory Categorization for MP3 Players II-27
Hard Disk Drive (HDD) Memory II-27
Flash Memory II-28
Decisive Battle between Flash and HDD Memories II-28
Flash and HDD: Who Wields the Leadership Scepter? II-28
Emerging Technologies Muscle Growth II-29
Voguish and Whimsical Designs Are In II-29
MP3 Phones - Advancement in the Field of Handsets II-29
Key Technology Vendors II-29
Table 8: Global Market for Hard Disk Drives by Leading
Manufacturers (2005): Percentage Breakdown of Volume Sales
for Seagate Technology, Western Digital, Hitachi GST, Maxtor,
Toshiba, Samsung Electronics, Fujitsu and Others (includes
corresponding Graph/Chart) II-30

Table 9: Global Market for NAND Flash Memory by Leading
Manufacturers (2005): Percentage Breakdown of Volume Sales
for Samsung, Toshiba/SanDisk, Hynix/STM, Renesas, Infineon
and Others (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-30

6. Production Scenario II-31
Table 10: World Recent Past, Current & Future Market Analysis
for MP3 Players by Product Segment - Flash MP3 Players and HDD
MP3 Players Markets Independently Analyzed with Annual
Production Figures in Thousands of Units for Years 2004
through 2010 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-31

Table 11: World 7-Year Perspective for MP3 Players by Product
Segment - Percentage Breakdown of Unit Production for Flash
MP3 Players and HDD MP3 Players Markets for 2006, 2008 & 2010 II-31
Asia-Pacific - The Key Production Hub II-32
Table 12: Global MP3 Players Market (2004): Percentage Share
of Volume Production for Taiwan, Mainland China, South Korea
and Rest of World (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-32

7. Pricing and Distribution II-33
Falling Unit Prices Thwarts Overall Value Sales II-33
Consumer is the Ultimate Judge II-33
Strong Sales Across Retail Channels II-33

8. Import/Export Scenario II-35
South Korea - The Key Exporting Hub II-35
Table 13: South Korean Exports of MP3 Players (2003 & 2006):
Percentage Breakdown of Value Shipments for Asia-Pacific,
Europe, North America, and Rest of World (includes
corresponding Graph/Chart) II-35

Table 14: Korean MP3 Players Market (2003): Exports in US$
Thousands for Hong Kong, The US, Germany, Japan, The
Netherlands, China, France, Taiwan, England and Others
(includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-36

Table 15: Korean MP3 Players Market (2003): Imports in US$
Thousands from Hong Kong, China, The US, Taiwan, Japan and
Others (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-36

9. Product Innovations/Introductions II-37
Aigo Presents Omnisphere II-37
iPod Features Email Service II-37
Sandisk Brings in Fully Loaded Baby MP3 Players II-37
iRiver Presents M20 PMP with New Features II-37
Samsung Releases Blue Wave Program II-37
Bang & Olufsen Unveils New MP3 Player II-37
Transcend Introduces New T.sonic 850 MP3 Player II-38
Marine AV to Launch New Digital Audio Player in Europe II-38
Transcend Unveils New Flash T.sonic 320 MP3 Player II-38
Philips Introduces New MP3 Player with Integrated Bluetooth
Functionality II-38
SanDisk Introduces New Hip MP3 player II-39
XIAS Launches New XIAS™ MP3 Player II-39
SanDisk Launches New Sansa® Fuze™ MP3 Player II-39
iRiver Introduces Disney-Branded MP3 Player II-39
Philips Introduces GoGear SA2845 Mp3 Player II-39
Haier America to Launch Ibiza™ Rhapsody® Portable Wi-Fi Media
Player II-39
Philips Introduces Two New MP3 players II-40
Samsung Plans to Launch MP3 Players II-40
LG Launches DVB-T MP3 Player II-40
Creative Introduces Upgraded Version of Zen Stone II-41
Touch Screen MP3 Players from Samsung II-41
Creative Introduces MP3 players for Kids II-41
Samsung Releases Yepp T9+ II-41
Microsoft Overhauls Digital Music Player II-41
Cowon Launches ‘iAUDIO 7’ II-41
Creative Launches MuVo T100 MP3 Player II-41
Mattel Unveils Barbie MP3 Player II-42
Transcend Introduces New T.sonic 820 Series II-42
Sony Introduces New Walkman® Video MP3 Player II-42
Samsung Presents Digital Music Player II-42
Samsung Unveils U3 MP3 Player II-42
SanDisk Introduces Sansa View II-42
Creative Launches Portable 32GB Flash Memory-Based Media Player II-43
Samsung Unveils YP-T9B MP3 Player II-43
Twinbird Introduces Zabady MP3/CD Player II-43
Califone® Launches MP3 Player for School Purpose II-43
SanDisk Inventor Unveils Sansa Shaker MP3 Player II-43
SanDisk Launches Sansa Connect II-43
Memorex Unveils Digital Audio Player II-44
LG Unveils UP3 S2 MP3 Player II-44
Mpio Launches New Digital Audio Players II-44
JVC Launches Waterproof Audio Player II-44
Toshiba Launches Gigabeat U Series of Digital Audio Players II-44
Siren Releases New Digital Audio Player II-44
Klegg Electronics Unveils New Mini MP3 Player II-45
Toshiba Unveils Gigabeat U-Series of MP3 Players II-45
Century Corp Introduces Waterproof MP3 Players II-45
Creative Unveils ZEN™ Stone II-45
Digital Vision and Coby Electronics Roll Out MP3 Players II-45
SanDisk Unveils Sansa Express™ II-45
Peapod Toys to Introduce MP3 Player for Small Children II-45
Apple Unveils iPod Nano II-46
Apple Launches iPod Classic II-46
Apple Launches iPod Touch II-46
Samsung Rolls Out Range of Novel MP3 Players II-46
Samsung Presents Digital Music Player (US) II-47
Samsung Unveils Pint-sized Stereo System and MP3 Player II-47
Creative Technology Launches ZEN Vision W II-47
HandHeld Entertainment Plans to Release MP3 Player II-47
iRiver Unveils New Digital Audio Players with Color Displays II-48
Rio Launches New HDD MP3 Player II-48
LG Releases New Line of MP3 Players II-48
Hyun Won Introduces New Muti-Role MP3 Player II-48
Apple Unveils the Fifth Generation Family of iPods with Video
Playback Facility II-48
Creative Launches Zen Micro Photo II-48
Archos Releases Gmini XS100 II-48
Apple Unveils iPod Nano II-49
Creative Releases New Speaker System for Zen MP3 Players II-49
Philips Unveils PSA232 and PSA612 II-49
Rio Launches New Rio Carbon II-49
Digitalway Unveils Three New MP3 Players II-49
Sony Releases NW-E307 Walkman Bean II-49
iRiver Unveils T10 MP3 Players in Alluring Colors II-49
GoVideo Debuts New Flash MP3 Players II-49
Archos Releases Gmini 402 II-50
Philips Unveils Two New HDD MP3 Players II-50
Nike Releases PSA-610 II-50
UMAX Introduces Vega 203 II-50
Creative Unveils Zen Vision II-50
Samsung Launches New Line of MP3 Players II-50
Creative Unveils Zen Neeon II-50
Hitachi Releases HMP-1 II-50
iRiver Unveils N11 II-51
Creative Unveils Advanced Versions of Zen Micro II-51
Samsung Launches YP-U1 Flash MP3 Players II-51
Creative Unveils MuVo Vidz II-51
Sony Releases First HDD MP3 Player II-51
Panasonic Introduces D-Snap Range of MP3 Players II-51
Creative Unveils Zen Sleek II-51
Apple Unveils New iPod® Photo II-51
SanDisk Launches Sansa m200 II-52
Samsung Debuts YP-W3 Studded with Diamonds II-52
Sony Releases New Flash MP3 Players II-52
Sanyo Launches HDP-M3000 II-52
Damon Dash Unveils Rocbox Digital 15003 II-52
Neuros Launches 442 PMP II-52
Adamond Introduces XK1 II-52
Epson Releases P-4000 II-52
Iomega Launches Mixx™ Player II-53
Kenwood Releases HD20GA7 II-53
Toshiba Launches Gigabeat X30 II-53
Synaptics Introduces ScrollStrip™ II-53
Maxfield Launches New MP3 Player II-53
Dell Releases DJ Ditty II-53
Nasa Unveils Lips II-53
Virgin Group Launches New Wearable MP3 player II-53
Alienware Unveils CE-IV Flash MP3 Players II-54
X2 Releases Bluetoothed MP3 Player II-54
Sorell Launches SF3000 II-54
Creative Unveils MuVo Mix II-54
Transcend Introduces T.Sonic 310 II-54
Samsung and XM to Unveil New MP3 Satellite Player II-54
New iPod Mini from Apple II-54
ReignCom Unveils New Digital Audio Players with Color Displays II-55
iRiver Unveils New Under Water MP3 Player II-55
Creative Launches New MP3 Players II-55
Finis Unveils SwiMP3 II-55
ReignCom Debuts iAudio4 II-55
Aiwa Unveils XDM-S710BT II-55
Archos Releases Gmini XS200 II-55
Apple Unveils iPod® Photo II-55
Digitalway Unveils New Line of MP3 Players II-56
Apple Unveils Fourth Generation iPod II-56
Samsung Debuts Yepp T5V II-56
Archos Releases Gmini 400 II-56
Creative Unveils Zen Micro II-56
Digimaster Releases HAAP3 II-56
Olympus Introduces MR100 and MR500i II-56
Aiwa Releases HZWS2000S II-57
Creative Unveils MuVo Micro N200 Line of MP3 Players II-57
SCAM Releases SH100 II-57
iRiver Launches iHP-140 II-57
Epson Releases P-2000 II-57
iRiver Unveils New Line of Flash MP3 Players II-57
Samsung Launches New Line of MP3 Players II-57
Virgin Group Launches New HDD MP3 Player II-57
Oakley Unveils Thump® II-57
Apple Unveils iPod® Shuffle II-58
iRiver Introduces PMP 120 II-58
Sony Releases VGF-AP1 and HMP-A1 MP3 Players II-58
Cowon Debuts iAudio M3 II-58
Sony Releases New Flash MP3 Players II-58
GoVideo Unveils New Line of MP3 Players II-58
Entempo Introduces New HDD MP3 Player with ShoX Technology II-59
Asono Introduces Elio Photo II-59
Aiwa Releases New Range of MP3 Players II-59
Lexar Unveils New Line of Flash MP3 Players II-59
Apple Introduces iPod® Photo II-59
Rio Launches New HDD MP3 Player II-59
Digitalway Unveils MPIO hd200 II-60
Alba Launches MP364NDI II-60
Shinco Releases Z2 Line of MP3 Players II-60
Degen Unveils New HDD MP3 Player II-60
Panasonic Unveils E-Wear Digital Audio Players II-60
Cirago Launches New Line of MP3 Players II-60
SigmaTel Expands D-Major™ Line of MP3 Audio Controllers II-60
Dell Releases Pocket DJ 5 II-60
Rio Launches New Rio Nitrus II-61
SigmaTel Releases New Software Kit for HDD MP3 Players II-61
Digital Age Releases New Products to Complement Apple’s iPod II-61

10. Product Launches In The Recent Past II-62
Rio Audio Launches New Line of Portable MP3 Players II-62
iRiver Unveils New Line of MP3 Players II-62
Philips Launches HDD Jukebox II-62
PoGo Launches AudioRave II-62
iRiver America Unveils iGP-100 II-62
Dell Launches New HDD MP3 Players II-62
Nextway Releases NMP-612 II-62
iRiver Unveils HP-100 MP3 Jukebox II-63
New HDD MP3 Player from Apple II-63
SonicBlue Unveils Rio Sport Flash MP3 Players II-63
Creative Launches Nomad Jukebox Zen II-63
iRiver Unveils New CD-MP3 Player II-63
SonicBlue Launches Rio Riot™ HDD Players II-63
ReignCom Releases iRiver Brand of MP3 Players II-63
PoGo Releases RipFlash™ MP3 Player II-64
Apple Releases iPod II-64
SonicBlue Launches Rio One II-64
Aiwa Releases MM-RX400 II-64
Telus Mobility Unveils Samsung SPH M100 Uproar II-64
RCA Launches Lyra2 II-64
Panasonic Unveils New MP3 Player II-64
Polaroid Launches PhotoMAX II-64
Evolution Releases Extreme NeckPhone II-65
Creative Launches Nomad Jukebox II-65
Samsung Unveils New Ultra-Light MP3 Players II-65
Digisette Releases Duo-MP3 II-65
Yamaha Unveils Two-Piece Speaker System for Portable Audio
Players II-65

11. Recent Industry Activity II-66
Sakar to Introduce Array of Electronic Goods II-66
Audiovox Releases Slider-Style MP3 Players II-66
Freescale to Take Over SigmaTel II-66
Matsushita Electric to be Re-Named ‘Panasonic Corporation’ II-66
SanDisk to Launch Sansa Express II-66
Toshiba Extends Memory of T400 II-67
RealNetworks(R) Enters into an Agreement with Reigncom II-67
Polish to Set up New Facility II-67
LG India Forays into Car Audio Systems and MP3 Players II-67
Samsung Asia to Increase MP3 Player Business II-67
Kenwood Unveils Media Keg II-67
HandHeld Entertainment Introduces MP3 Player for Kids II-67
Philips Acquires Digital Lifestyle Outfitters II-68
Audiovox Takeover Thomson's Business II-68
SanDisk Partners with Yahoo! Music II-68
Napster Partners with Maxfield II-68
GK BLADE Acquires Stake in DCM II-69
Juken to Acquire Majority Stake in Cubic Electronics II-69
NVIDIA Takes Over PortalPlayerÒ II-69
China 3C Acquires Shanghai Joy & Harmony Electronics II-69
D&M Holdings Sell Rio’s Assets to SigmaTel II-70
Samsung to Start Production of 16 GB Flash Memory Chips II-70
Creative Bags Patents for User Interface II-70
Advanced MP3 Players Starts New Retail Store for MP3 Players II-70
Matsushita Changes Name of its US Subsidiary II-70
Olympus Recoils from Taiwanese MP3 Player Market II-70
Jens Files for Bankruptcy II-71
Apple Forms Strategic Alliance with HP II-71
Rio Forges Strategic Alliance with SigmaTel II-71
Apple Enters into an Agreement with SigmaTel II-71
iRiver Acquires MPMan for Patents II-71
Apple Released iPod Mini in Australian Market II-71
LG Markets MF-FE422XL MP3 Players in Korea II-71
Apple Starts iTunes Music Stores II-71
Creative Labs Opts SigmaTel for D-Major™ Products II-72
SigmaTel Pacts with Musicmatch II-72
iRiver Equips New Line of MP3 Players with Microsemi Battery
Charger Circuit II-72
GoVideo Opts SigmaTel for MP3 Audio Controllers II-72

12. Strategic Corporate Developments in the Recent Past II-73
D&M Holdings Acquires SonicBlue’s Rio II-73
Nextway Pacts with Vintion II-73
ReignCom Establishes Japanese Subsidiary II-73
Cirrus Logic Complements Egoman Portable Audio Players with
CS7410 II-73
CompUSA Sells Odyssey MP3 Players II-73
ReignCom Establishes iRiver America II-73
Intel Forays into MP3 Players Market II-74
Samsung Starts Production of C-PAD Chips II-74

13. Focus on Select Players II-75
Apple Computer, Inc. (USA) II-75
Archos Inc (France) II-75
Beijing Huaqi Information Digital Technology Co., Ltd. (China) II-75
Cowon Systems, Inc. (Korea) II-76
Creative Technology Ltd (Singapore) II-76
Creative Labs Inc (USA) II-76
Creative Labs Europe (Ireland) II-76
MP3 Plus Ltd (Korea) II-77
Acer Inc. (USA) II-77
LG Electronics (Korea) II-77
Philips Electronics N.V. (The Netherlands) II-78
Philips Electronics North America (USA) II-78
ReignCom Ltd. (Korea) II-78
iRiver America Inc. (USA) II-79
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. (Korea) II-79
Sony Corporation (Japan) II-79
Sony Corporation of America (USA) II-79
TGE Group (China) II-80
Thomson (France) II-80

14. Focus on Select Technology Vendors II-81
Cirrus Logic (USA) II-81
Hitachi Global Storage Technologies (USA) II-81
Iomega Corporation (USA) II-81
Intel Corporation (USA) II-81
Inventec Appliances Corporation (Taiwan) II-82
Lexar Media Inc (USA) II-82
Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Limited (Japan) II-82
Micronas Semiconductor Holding AG (Switzerland) II-82
Samsung Semiconductor Inc (USA) II-83
SanDisk Corporation (USA) II-83
Seagate Technology LLC (USA) II-83
Telechips Inc (Korea) II-84
Texas Instruments Inc (USA) II-84
Toshiba Corporation (Japan) II-84

15. Global Market Perspective II-85
Table 16: World Recent Past, Current & Future Market Analysis
for MP3 Players by Geographic Region - US, Japan, Europe,
Asia-Pacific (excluding Japan), and Rest of World Markets
Independently Analyzed with Annual Sales Figures in Thousands
of Units for Years 2000 through 2010 (includes corresponding
Graph/Chart) II-85

Table 17: World Long-term Projections for MP3 Players by
Geographic Region - US, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific (excluding
Japan), and Rest of World Markets Independently Analyzed with
Annual Sales Figures in Thousands of Units for Years 2011
through 2015 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-86

Table 18: World 10-Year Perspective for MP3 Players by
Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Unit Sales for US,
Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific (excluding Japan), and Rest of
World Markets for 2003, 2008 & 2012 (includes corresponding
Graph/Chart) II-87

Table 19: World Recent Past, Current & Future Market Analysis
for Flash MP3 Players by Geographic Region - US, Japan,
Europe, Asia-Pacific (excluding Japan), and Rest of World
Markets Independently Analyzed with Annual Sales Figures in
Thousands of Units for Years 2000 through 2010 (includes
corresponding Graph/Chart) II-88

Table 20: World Long-term Projections for Flash MP3 Players by
Geographic Region - US, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific (excluding
Japan), and Rest of World Markets Independently Analyzed with
Annual Sales Figures in Thousands of Units for Years 2011
through 2015 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-89

Table 21: World 10-Year Perspective for Flash MP3 Players by
Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Unit Sales for US,
Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific (excluding Japan), and Rest of
World Markets for 2003, 2008 & 2012 (includes corresponding
Graph/Chart) II-90

Table 22: World Recent Past, Current & Future Market Analysis
for HDD MP3 Players by Geographic Region - US, Japan, Europe,
Asia-Pacific (excluding Japan), and Rest of World Markets
Independently Analyzed with Annual Sales Figures in Thousands
of Units for Years 2000 through 2010 (includes corresponding
Graph/Chart) II-91

Table 23: World Long-term Projections for HDD MP3 Players by
Geographic Region - US, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific (excluding
Japan), and Rest of World Markets Independently Analyzed with
Annual Sales Figures in Thousands of Units for Years 2011
through 2015 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-92

Table 24: World 10-Year Perspective for HDD MP3 Players by
Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Unit Sales for US,
Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific (excluding Japan), and Rest of
World Markets for 2003, 2008 & 2012 (includes corresponding
Graph/Chart) II-93


III. MARKET

1. The United States III-1
A.Market Analysis III-1
A Place for Trendsetters III-1
Current and Future Analysis III-1
Household Penetration - The Key Market Driver III-2
Table 25: US Household Penetration of Music Players (2003 &
2004) (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-2
MP3 Player Enthralls Music Industry Sales III-3
SDMI Backs Legitimate Downloads of Music Files III-3
Competitive Scenario III-4
Table 26: US Market for MP3 Players (2005 & 2006):
Percentage Breakdown of Leading Players by Volume Sales --
Apple, SanDisk, ReignCom, Creative, Samsung and Others
(includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-4

Table 27: US Market for Flash MP3 Players (2005 & 2006):
Percentage Breakdown of Leading Players by Volume Sales --
Apple, SanDisk, Rio, Creative, Samsung, RCA and Others
(includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-5
Historic Perspective III-5
Table 28: US Market for MP3 Players (2002): Percentage
Breakdown of Leading Players by Value Sales -- Apple, Rio,
Nike-Philips, Archos, Creative and Others (includes
corresponding Graph/Chart) III-5

Table 29: US Market for MP3 Players (2002): Percentage
Breakdown of Leading Players by Volume Sales -- RCA, Rio,
Apple, Samsung, Nike-Philips and Others (includes
corresponding Graph/Chart) III-6
Product Launches III-6
Strategic Corporate Developments III-18
Review of Key Players III-21
Review of Key Technology Vendors III-23
B.Market Analytics III-25
Table 30: US Recent Past, Current & Future Market Analysis
for MP3 Players by Product Segment - Flash MP3 Players and
HDD MP3 Players Markets Independently Analyzed with Annual
Sales Figures in Thousands of Units for Years 2000 through
2010 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-25

Table 31: US Long-term Projections for MP3 Players by
Product Segment - Flash MP3 Players and HDD MP3 Players
Markets Independently Analyzed with Annual Sales Figures in
Thousands of Units for Years 2011 through 2015 (includes
corresponding Graph/Chart) III-26

Table 32: US 10-Year Perspective for MP3 Players by Product
Segment - Percentage Breakdown of Unit Sales for Flash MP3
Players and HDD MP3 Players Markets for 2003, 2008 & 2012 III-26

2. Japan III-27
A.Market Analysis III-27
Current and Future Analysis III-27
An Overview of Japanese Electronics Industry III-27
The Home for Pioneering Technologies III-27
Apple and Sony - The Clear Leaders III-28
Table 33: Japanese Market for MP3 Players by Leading
Players (2005): Percentage Breakdown of Volume Sales for
Apple, Sony and Others (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-28
Strategic Corporate Developments III-28
Product Launches III-29
Sony Corporation - A Key Player III-31
Key Technology Vendors III-31
B.Market Analytics III-32
Table 34: Japanese Recent Past, Current & Future Market
Analysis for MP3 Players by Product Segment - Flash MP3
Players and HDD MP3 Players Markets Independently Analyzed
with Annual Sales Figures in Thousands of Units for Years
2000 through 2010 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-32

Table 35: Japanese Long-term Projections for MP3 Players by
Product Segment - Flash MP3 Players and HDD MP3 Players
Markets Independently Analyzed with Annual Sales Figures in
Thousands of Units for Years 2011 through 2015 (includes
corresponding Graph/Chart) III-33

Table 36: Japanese 10-Year Perspective for MP3 Players by
Product Segment - Percentage Breakdown of Unit Sales for
Flash MP3 Players and HDD MP3 Players Markets for 2003, 2008
& 2012 III-33

3. Europe III-34
A.Market Analysis III-34
Current and Future Analysis III-34
By Region III-34
By Segment III-34
Booming Consumer Electronics Industry III-34
Table 37: European Consumer Electronics Industry by Region
(2005): Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for United
Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain and Rest of Europe
(includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-35
Exploding Demand for MP3 Players III-35
Table 38: European Market for Music Players (2003 & 2004):
Percentage Breakdown for CD Players, Radio Recorders, MP3
Players, Minidisk Players, Radios, Pocket Stereos and
Others (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-35
Alternatives to Pose Major Threat to MP3 Players III-36
Strategic Corporate Developments III-36
B.Market Analytics III-38
Table 39: European Recent Past, Current & Future Market
Analysis for MP3 Players by Geographic Region - France,
Germany, UK, Italy, and Rest of European Markets
Independently Analyzed with Annual Sales Figures in
Thousands of Units for Years 2000 through 2010 (includes
corresponding Graph/Chart) III-38

Table 40: European Long-term Projections for MP3 Players by
Geographic Region - France, Germany, UK, Italy, and Rest of
European Markets Independently Analyzed with Annual Sales
Figures in Thousands of Units for Years 2011 through 2015
(includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-39

Table 41: European Recent Past, Current & Future Market
Analysis for MP3 Players by Product Segment - Flash MP3
Players and HDD MP3 Players Markets Independently Analyzed
with Annual Sales Figures in Thousands of Units for Years
2000 through 2010 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-39

Table 42: European Long-term Projections for MP3 Players by
Product Segment - Flash MP3 Players and HDD MP3 Players
Markets Independently Analyzed with Annual Sales Figures in
Thousands of Units for Years 2011 through 2015 (includes
corresponding Graph/Chart) III-40

Table 43: European 10-Year Perspective for MP3 Players by
Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Unit Sales for
France, Germany, UK, Italy, and Rest of European Markets for
2003, 2008 & 2012 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-41

Table 44: European 10-Year Perspective for MP3 Players by
Product Segment - Percentage Breakdown of Unit Sales for
Flash MP3 Players and HDD MP3 Players Markets for 2003, 2008
& 2012 III-41

3a. France III-42
A.Market Analysis III-42
Current and Future Analysis III-42
Review of Key Players III-42
B.Market Analytics III-43
Table 45: French Recent Past, Current & Future Market
Analysis for MP3 Players by Product Segment - Flash MP3
Players and HDD MP3 Players Markets Independently Analyzed
with Annual Sales Figures in Thousands of Units for Years
2000 through 2010 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-43

Table 46: French Long-term Projections for MP3 Players by
Product Segment - Flash MP3 Players and HDD MP3 Players
Markets Independently Analyzed with Annual Sales Figures in
Thousands of Units for Years 2011 through 2015 (includes
corresponding Graph/Chart) III-43

Table 47: French 10-Year Perspective for MP3 Players by
Product Segment - Percentage Breakdown of Unit Sales for
Flash MP3 Players and HDD MP3 Players Markets for 2003, 2008
& 2012 III-44

3b. Germany III-45
Market Analysis III-45
Table 48: German Recent Past, Current & Future Market
Analysis for MP3 Players by Product Segment - Flash MP3
Players and HDD MP3 Players Markets Independently Analyzed
with Annual Sales Figures in Thousands of Units for Years
2000 through 2010 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-45

Table 49: German Long-term Projections for MP3 Players by
Product Segment - Flash MP3 Players and HDD MP3 Players
Markets Independently Analyzed with Annual Sales Figures in
Thousands of Units for Years 2011 through 2015 (includes
corresponding Graph/Chart) III-46

Table 50: German 10-Year Perspective for MP3 Players by
Product Segment - Percentage Breakdown of Unit Sales for
Flash MP3 Players and HDD MP3 Players Markets for 2003, 2008
& 2012 III-46

3c. The United Kingdom III-47
A.Market Analysis III-47
Current and Future Analysis III-47
Legitimate Downloads - Still at Infancy III-47
Competitive Scenario III-47
Table 51: UK Market for Online Music (2004 & 2006):
Percentage Breakdown of Downloads by Online Music Sites --
iTunes, Napster, Wippit, MyCokeMusic, MSN, CD Wow and
Others (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-48
B.Market Analytics III-48
Table 52: UK Recent Past, Current & Future Market Analysis
for MP3 Players by Product Segment - Flash MP3 Players and
HDD MP3 Players Markets Independently Analyzed with Annual
Sales Figures in Thousands of Units for Years 2000 through
2010 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-48

Table 53: UK Long-term Projections for MP3 Players by
Product Segment - Flash MP3 Players and HDD MP3 Players
Markets Independently Analyzed with Annual Sales Figures in
Thousands of Units for Years 2011 through 2015 (includes
corresponding Graph/Chart) III-49

Table 54: UK 10-Year Perspective for MP3 Players by Product
Segment - Percentage Breakdown of Unit Sales for Flash MP3
Players and HDD MP3 Players Markets for 2003, 2008 & 2012 III-49

3d. Italy III-50
Market Analysis III-50
Table 55: Italian Recent Past, Current & Future Market
Analysis for MP3 Players by Product Segment - Flash MP3
Players and HDD MP3 Players Markets Independently Analyzed
with Annual Sales Figures in Thousands of Units for Years
2000 through 2010 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-50

Table 56: Italian Long-term Projections for MP3 Players by
Product Segment - Flash MP3 Players and HDD MP3 Players
Markets Independently Analyzed with Annual Sales Figures in
Thousands of Units for Years 2011 through 2015 (includes
corresponding Graph/Chart) III-51

Table 57: Italian 10-Year Perspective for MP3 Players by
Product Segment - Percentage Breakdown of Unit Sales for
Flash MP3 Players and HDD MP3 Players Markets for 2003, 2008
& 2012 III-51

3e. Rest of Europe III-52
A.Market Analysis III-52
Current and Future Analysis III-52
The Netherlands to Face Surcharge on MP3 players III-52
Review of Key Players III-52
B.Market Analytics III-53
Table 58: Rest of Europe Recent Past, Current & Future
Market Analysis for MP3 Players by Product Segment - Flash
MP3 Players and HDD MP3 Players Markets Independently
Analyzed with Annual Sales Figures in Thousands of Units for
Years 2000 through 2010 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-53

Table 59: Rest of Europe Long-term Projections for MP3
Players by Product Segment - Flash MP3 Players and HDD MP3
Players Markets Independently Analyzed with Annual Sales
Figures in Thousands of Units for Years 2011 through 2015
(includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-54

Table 60: Rest of Europe 10-Year Perspective for MP3 Players
by Product Segment - Percentage Breakdown of Unit Sales for
Flash MP3 Players and HDD MP3 Players Markets for 2003, 2008
& 2012 III-54

4. Asia-Pacific III-55
A.Market Analysis III-55
Current and Future Analysis III-55
By Region III-55
By Segment III-55
Fastest Growth on the Cards III-55
Abode for Low-Cost Products with Utmost Quality III-56
Competitive Landscape III-56
Table 61: Asia-Pacific Market for MP3 Players by Leading
Players (2005 & 2006): Percentage Breakdown of Volume Sales
for SCAM, Sony, ReignCom, Apple and Others (includes
corresponding Graph/Chart) III-57
B.Market Analytics III-57
Table 62: Asia-Pacific Recent Past, Current & Future Market
Analysis for MP3 Players by Geographic Region - China, and
Rest of Asia-Pacific Markets Independently Analyzed with
Annual Sales Figures in Thousands of Units for Years 2000
through 2010 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-57

Table 63: Asia-Pacific Long-term Projections for MP3 Players
by Geographic Region - China, and Rest of Asia-Pacific
Markets Independently Analyzed with Annual Sales Figures in
Thousands of Units for Years 2011 through 2015 (includes
corresponding Graph/Chart) III-58

Table 64: Asia-Pacific Recent Past, Current & Future Market
Analysis for MP3 Players by Product Segment - Flash MP3
Players and HDD MP3 Players Markets Independently Analyzed
with Annual Sales Figures in Thousands of Units for Years
2000 through 2010 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-58

Table 65: Asia-Pacific Long-term Projections for MP3 Players
by Product Segment - Flash MP3 Players and HDD MP3 Players
Markets Independently Analyzed with Annual Sales Figures in
Thousands of Units for Years 2011 through 2015 (includes
corresponding Graph/Chart) III-59

Table 66: Asia-Pacific 10-Year Perspective for MP3 Players
by Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Unit Sales
for China, and Rest of Asia-Pacific Markets for 2003, 2008 &
2012 III-59

Table 67: Asia-Pacific 10-Year Perspective for MP3 Players
by Product Segment - Percentage Breakdown of Unit Sales for
Flash MP3 Players and HDD MP3 Players Markets for 2003, 2008
& 2012 III-59

4a. China III-60
A.Market Analysis III-60
Current and Future Analysis III-60
China to Implement National Standards for MP3 Players III-60
Burgeoning Growth on Stream III-60
Key Low-Cost Manufacturing Hub III-60
Competitive Landscape III-61
Table 68: Chinese Market for MP3 Players by Leading Players
(2005 & 2006): Percentage Breakdown of Volume Sales for
Samsung, Sony, Aigo and Others (includes corresponding
Graph/Chart) III-61
Blazing Price Wars in China - A Recent Past Scenario III-62
Table 69: Chinese MP3 Players Market: Breakup of Average
Selling Price for the Period Q1’04 - Q2’05 (includes
corresponding Graph/Chart) III-62
Product Launch III-64
Strategic Corporate Developments III-64
Review of Key Players III-65
B.Market Analytics III-66
Table 70: Chinese Recent Past, Current & Future Market
Analysis for MP3 Players by Product Segment - Flash MP3
Players and HDD MP3 Players Markets Independently Analyzed
with Annual Sales Figures in Thousands of Units for Years
2000 through 2010 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-66

Table 71: Chinese Long-term Projections for MP3 Players by
Product Segment - Flash MP3 Players and HDD MP3 Players
Markets Independently Analyzed with Annual Sales Figures in
Thousands of Units for Years 2011 through 2015 (includes
corresponding Graph/Chart) III-66

Table 72: Chinese 10-Year Perspective for MP3 Players by
Product Segment - Percentage Breakdown of Unit Sales for
Flash MP3 Players and HDD MP3 Players Markets for 2003, 2008
& 2012 III-67

4b. Rest of Asia-Pacific III-68
A.Market Analysis III-68
Current and Future Analysis III-68
A Review of Key Markets III-68
South Korea III-68
The Potential Giant III-68
Production Scenario III-68
Competitive Landscape III-69
Table 73: South Korean Market for MP3 Players by Leading
Players (2005 & 2006): Percentage Breakdown of Volume
Sales for ReignCom, Samsung, Cowon, Apple and Others
(includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-69
MP3 Phones: Not a Deathblow III-70
Online Music Enthralls MP3 Players’ Sales III-70
A Major Exporting Hub III-70
Table 74: South Korean Exports of MP3 Players (2003 &
2006): Percentage Breakdown of Value Shipments for
Asia-Pacific, Europe, America, and Rest of World
(includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-71

Table 75: Korean MP3 Players Market (2003): Exports in
US$ Thousands for Hong Kong, The US, Germany, Japan, The
Netherlands, China, France, Taiwan, England and Others
(includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-71

Table 76: Korean MP3 Players Market (2003): Imports in
US$ Thousands from Hong Kong, China, The US, Taiwan,
Japan and Others (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-72
India III-72
An Emerging Market for Digital Electronic Devices III-72
HDD MP3 Players - Yet to Gain Ground III-72
Australia III-72
Hong Kong III-73
Moderate Growth Expected III-73
Table 77: Hong Kong Market for MP3 Players by Leading
Players (2005 & 2006): Percentage Breakdown of Volume
Sales for Sony, Apple, Samsung and Others (includes
corresponding Graph/Chart) III-73
Taiwan III-74
Production Scenario III-74
Competitive Landscape - A Recent Past Scenario III-74
Singapore III-74
Table 78: Singapore Market for MP3 Players by Leading
Players (2005 & 2006): Percentage Breakdown of Volume
Sales for Creative, Apple, Sony and Others(includes
corresponding Graph/Chart) III-75
Product Launches III-75
Strategic Corporate Developments III-81
Review of Key Players III-83
Key Technology Vendors III-85
B.Market Analytics III-86
Table 79: Rest of Asia-Pacific Recent Past, Current & Future
Market Analysis for MP3 Players by Product Segment - Flash
MP3 Players and HDD MP3 Players Markets Independently
Analyzed with Annual Sales Figures in Thousands of Units for
Years 2000 through 2010 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-86

Table 80: Rest of Asia-Pacific Long-term Projections for MP3
Players by Product Segment - Flash MP3 Players and HDD MP3
Players Markets Independently Analyzed with Annual Sales
Figures in Thousands of Units for Years 2011 through 2015
(includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-87

Table 81: Rest of Asia-Pacific 10-Year Perspective for MP3
Players by Product Segment - Percentage Breakdown of Unit
Sales for Flash MP3 Players and HDD MP3 Players Markets for
2003, 2008 & 2012