Abstract
A portable media player (PMP) is an electronic device that allows the owner to store, organize and play audio files as well as to view images and videos. The data is usually stored on a hard drive or a flash memory, enabling the storage of all kinds of files as on a USB flash drive. The PMP can be connected to a computer with a USB or FireWire connector, or via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi link.
The worldwide leader on this industry is clearly Apple with the iPod (around 70% of market share in US). SanDisk is the direct challenger, even though it is far from catching up with Apple with around 17% of market share in US. Then come Creative, Microsoft and Samsung which together own around 10% of the US market. Finally we find a half-dozen of outsiders, as iRiver, Philips, Neonumeric, Archos, Sony, Meizu and Cowon, sharing the remaining 3% of the US market.
It is difficult to have precise global figures but the US' trend is representative of the global market; except in China where Apple is not the leader but second after Samsung.
According to the Standard Industrial Classification, the PMPs belong to the household audio and video equipment industry (SIC 3651).
