Market researchers believe that media tablets will account for three quarters of all ultra mobile devices (UMD) shipments this year.
According to ABI Research, netbooks will be the UMD segment that will be surrendering volume to tablets over the next few years. "Netbook value will shift from highly competitive computing and mobile broadband markets, including the U.S., to countries where low computing and home broadband penetration offers the greatest potential for mobile computing," the firm said.
ABI noted that no UMD segment type has ever sustained a lead for longer than 36 months in any part of the world. The firm considers ultra-mobile PCs (UMPCs), mobile Internet devices (MIDs), netbooks, and media tablets as contenders in this market. ABI predicts an UMD volume of 37 million units, 28 million of which are forecasted to be iPad 2s. It definitely looks like that the iPad and possibly the Kindle Fire will be breaking the trend in the UMD market.
However, ABI does not believe that UMDs are strong enough to take on PCs and the smartphone markets yet. “For UMDs in the US to take the PC or smartphone markets head-on, there needs to be a fundamental shift in buying behavior driven by lifestyle enhancements and workplace requirements,” said ABI analyst Jeff Orr.
No comments:
Post a Comment