They were in the forefront of the digital revolution, which took place over 20 years ago and became one of its most powerful driving forces. More recently, they have been almost everyone, and today they are slowly becoming history. For the current year, sales of iPod-s and other MP3-player fell sharply due to the fact that the mass user turned his attention to the multi-functional smart phones.
According to the research firm Mintel, the market players Britain - once one of the most profitable, for the year 2012 decreased by? 110 million (to € 381 million) compared to last year. Based on detailed research specialists Mintel predicts that by 2017, sales of MP3-player drop two of the current level. However, this figure is considered average at Mintel. According to the most pessimistic scenario, the same over the next five years, the UK market MP3-players can shrink to a paltry £ 25 million
When in October 2001, Apple released its first iPod, it has actually changed the accepted methods while listening to music. In a small-sized device were provided special music software and built-in memory, which is enough volume to store about 1,000 songs in a compressed digital format. Against the background of bulky CD-and mini CD-players, ephemeral and whimsical cassette players, who enjoyed listening to music lovers of all that is said on the run, small and handy iPod has become a real godsend, no wonder that the player very quickly became hugely popular. Less than a year Apple released the second generation of the iPod, which has placed more than 4,000 tracks. And by the middle of 2010 the world has sold more than 275 million iPod-s of different models and generations.
Growth and development of players, however, interrupted smartphones, including production of Apple. According to Mintel, two in five British adults use smartphones, because analysts believe that the decline in sales of MP3-players - the process is hardly reversible.
Ian Fogg (Ian Fogg) - Technical expert analytical agency IHS sure that smartphones are more popular than they have ever players. Smartphones are convenient, they always carry with them, they are functional, because they can not only play music stored in the memory, but also songs from other sources. Accordingly, a user selection of music available smartphone is much wider. - Said Fogg.
As you know, in October, the number of used smartphones in the world reached 1 billion and more recently consulting firm Strategy Analytics released the results of market research of mobile electronics forecast, according to which in the next three years the number of smartphones on the planet will increase to 2 billion units.
According to Apple, the last fiscal quarter, the company sold 5.3 million units a series of iPod, which is 20% less than the same period last year.
