SANTA CLARA, CA – Use of tablets such as the iPad and Android-based devices by consumers for viewing TV/video content more than doubled in 14 regional markets, says NPD DisplaySearch.
This growth occurred in conjunction with increased tablet adoption in these markets.
The fastest growing region for tablet usage is Turkey, with tablet use growing from 3.1% in 2011 to 16.5% in 2012.
In addition, there was strong tablet usage growth in Germany (up nearly fourfold year-over-year), France and the US (both up more than threefold year-over-year).
Besides tablets, consumers are also leveraging other alternate electronic devices such as laptops and mobile phones to view TV/video content. More than 70% of consumers use alternate electronic devices such as tablets, notebook PCs, smartphones, MP3 players and desktop computers to view TV/video content, says the firm.
In mature markets like the US, the UK and Germany, a higher number of people view video content on portable computing devices, such as tablets and notebook PCs. In emerging markets like China, Indonesia, Russia and Turkey, consumers report they view content on mobile devices such as smartphones, likely due to the relatively high penetration of wireless networks, says NPD DisplaySearch.
“While the trends vary by region, it is evident that consumers around the globe are watching more video and TV content with their portable electronic devices, as these provide additional means of accessing content,” noted Riddhi Patel, research director of consumer insights for NPD DisplaySearch. “Despite this increase, however, TVs still remain the primary device of choice for viewing TV content, with 30% of consumers reporting that they view TV/video content on TVs alone.”
Despite increasing use of tablets and alternate smart devices, TV replacement cycles were shorter in 2012 than in 2011 in all the countries surveyed, as consumers expressed the desire for improved picture quality, larger size and HD performance, all of which are fulfilled with their adoption of flat panels. Increasing availability of these sets in a range of sizes and declining prices meet up with consumer needs and preferences globally. LCD continues to dominate global markets as the flat panel technology of choice, says the company.
LEATHERHEAD, SURREY, UK -- The printed circuit board industry has reached a turning point, as growth in China is mitigated by dips in other major electronics-consuming regions.
SAN JOSE – North America-based manufacturers of semiconductor equipment posted $1.61 billion in orders worldwide in May (three-month average), up 0.6% sequentially, and down 0.7% year-over-year, says SEMI.
The book-to-bill ratio was 1.05, which means $105 worth of orders was received for every $100 of product billed for the month.
The three-month average of worldwide billings was $1.54 billion, up 5.3% sequentially, and down 8% compared to May 2011.
“Worldwide orders for new semiconductor equipment from North American-based manufacturers have continued to increase over the past year, as chip makers add capacity and process technology to meet demand driven by mobile products, smartphones and tablets,” said Denny McGuirk, president and CEO at SEMI. “Bookings are at the highest levels since May 2011, and this is the fourth consecutive month that new orders have outpaced billings.”
OYSTER BAY, NY – Global revenue for carrier Wi-Fi access points and controllers will reach $2.2 billion in 2017, eight times its current size, says ABI Research.
This level is equivalent to almost one-half of the traditional enterprise or consumer/SoHo Wi-Fi segments in the same period.
The majority of the total market in 2011 was accounted for by Cisco, Ruckus Wireless, and Ericsson/BelAir.
As traditional mobile infrastructure vendors add Wi-Fi to their portfolios, these early market share rankings will fluctuate, says the firm.
Carrier Wi-Fi is defined as Wi-Fi that is provided as a service to mobile carrier customers, owned and operated directly or indirectly by the carrier, e.g. a third party hotspot provider.
