14 DAY TRIAL // Now that the global IT industry is showing renewed signs of life, the general view on the future has shifted towards one that is far less hopeless than the ones formed in 2008 and 2009. In fact, virtually all segments of the IT market are expected to grow over the next few or several years, some more than others. Analysts, naturally, did not waste time in studying the chances of each field, and In-Stat even drew a fairly optimistic conclusion about two of the more recently established niches, among other things.
What In-Stat analyzed (US Consumer Electronic Device Tracker: Shipments and Installed Base) were the markets for 3DTVs and Tablet PCs, mostly because these two are poised to become the fastest growing segments in the 2010-2011 period. Set to steadily expand, such devices will improve the position of consumer electronic manufacturers and content providers. Year-over-year 3DTV shipments are on track to grow by 142 percent, whereas the sales of tablet PCs, MIDs (Mobile Internet Devices) and slates will increase by 231 percent between 2010 and 2011, at least in the US.
“The US installed base units for 3DTVs and MID/Tablets will double from 2010 to 2011 and on through 2013. In fact, In-Stat expects the total US installed base of CE devices to almost double between 2009 and 2013,” said Stephanie Ethier, an In-Stat analyst.
Smartphones will also perform admirably, with shipments predicted at 198 million by 2013. Mobile PCs (notebooks, netbooks, ultrathins, etc.) will also grow during this period and should even continue to lead the entire computing category. All in all, three years from now, In-Stat claims, installed consumer electronics will have reached 1.9 billion. The only areas that will show declining growth rates during the next few years are maturing segments, like PMPs (portable media players) and desktops.