49% of MP3 player owners own an Apple iPod – survey

Via Digital Media

The rapidly growing worldwide market for Flash-based and hard disk drive (HDD)-based players is to jump from 140m units in 2005 to 286m by 2010, according to a report from market research firm In-Stat. Drivers for this market include falling price points, the availability of legitimate subscription and pay-per-download online music sites, increasing Flash memory capacities, and enhanced functionality.

In-Stat consumer survey data shows 49 per cent of MP3 player owners own an Apple iPod.

Sales of low-end, Flash-based players were especially strong in 2005, particularly in Asian markets where some players are priced as low as $25.

HDD-based models will continue to evolve into multimedia entertainment devices capable of audio, video, and imaging playback.