Global industrial semiconductor revenue in 2014 totaled $40.4 bln, up from $34.3 bln in 2013

Worldwide industrial semiconductor revenues grew by 18% YTY in 2014, according to IHS Inc. Global industrial semiconductor revenue in 2014 totaled $40.4 bln, up from $34.3 bln in 2013. The YTY increase follows solid growth of 13% in 2013, a decline of 3% in 2012 and 12% growth in 2011. The strong performance achieved in 2014 represents the highest annual growth rate, since the 36% boom in 2010.

Optical Semiconductor delivered the strongest performance, thanks to the continued strength of the LED market. The highest semiconductor device absolute revenue growth from 2014 to 2019 will come from LEDs, which is expected to grow from $6.3 bln to $12.6 bln—stemming from the global general lighting LED lighting boom, with most countries banning incandescent bulbs in 2014. Discrete power transistors, thyristors, rectifier and power diodes are expected to grow from $6 bln to $7.3 bln, due to the policy shift toward energy efficiency. Microcontrollers (MCUs) are also expected to experience robust growth in the long-term, growing from $4.3 bln to $5.8 bln, because of advances in power efficiency and integration features. Out of more than 27 semiconductor segments, 26 achieved increased YTY growth in 2014. All 7 major semiconductor components grew last year, led by optical,analog integrated circuits (ICs), logic ICs, discretes, microcomponent ICs, memory ICs, and sensors and actuators. Both analog ICs and logic application-specific ICs achieved the strongest turnaround in growth, moving from relatively flat growth in 2013 to over 20% growth last year.

49.7% of Americans own smartphones

Almost half (49.7%) of US mobile subscribers now own smartphones, as of February 2012. According to Nielsen, this marks an increase of 38% YTY; in February 2011, only 36% of mobile subscribers owned smartphones. This growth is driven by increasing smartphone adoption, as more than two-thirds of those who acquired a new mobile device in the last three months chose a smartphone over a feature phone.

Overall, Android continues to lead the smartphone market in the U.S., with 48% of smartphone owners saying they owned an Android OS device. Nearly a third (32.1%) of smartphone users have an Apple iPhone, and Blackberry owners represented another 11.6% of the smartphone market. Among recent acquirers who got their smartphone within the last three months, 48% of those surveyed in February said they chose an Android and 43% bought an iPhone.

Smart connected devices generated $489 bln in 2011

The universe of smart connected devices, including PCs, media tablets, and smartphones, saw shipments of more than 916 mln units and revenues surpassing $489 bln dollars in 2011, according to IDC. Unit shipments for smart connected devices should top 1.1 bln worldwide in 2012. By 2016, IDC predicts shipments will reach 1.84 bln units, more than double the 2011 figure, as consumers and business of all shapes and sizes around the world are showing a nearly insatiable appetite for smart connected devices. This works out to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.4% for the five-year forecast period.

Chart: Worldwide Smart Connected Device Shipments, 2010-2016 (Unit Millions)Description: This data comes from IDC’s WW Quarterly PC Tracker, WW Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, and WW Quarterly Media Tablet and eReader Tracker.Tags: Tracker, mobile phones, tablets, forecast, PCs, devices, consumer, IDC …Author: IDCcharts powered by iCharts

More smartphones than PCs to be sold by 2011

Smartphone sales will surpass worldwide PC sales by the end of 2011, RBC says. Global mobile phone sales totalled 286.1 mln units in Q2 2009, a 6.1% decrease from Q2 2008, according to Gartner. However, smartphone sales surpassed 40 mln units, a 27% increase from Q2 2007, representing the fastest-growing segment of the mobile-devices market.

57% of Americans watch TV and surf Internet simultaneously

57% of TV viewers in the US who have Internet access use both mediums at the same time at least once a month. That translates to more than 128 mln US consumers. Average TV viewer who uses the Internet simultaneously does that for 2 hours and 40 minutes a month, and that 28% of the time they are on the Web at home, they are also watching television, Nielsen said.

Mobile entertainment to generate $32 bln in 2009

According to Mobile Entertainment Forum, the global mobile entertainment industry is now worth some $32 bln. According to KPMG, the industry also remains confident that it can continue to grow strongly despite the current economic challenges, predicting average revenue growth of 28% for 2010.

89% of Americans with income over $75,000 subscribe to broadband

89% of all households with annual incomes over $75,000 subscribe to a broadband service – compared to 70% of households with incomes of $30,000-$75,000, and 37% of households with incomes under $30,000. 38% of households with annual incomes under $30,000 do not have a computer at home, and only half of households in this income group subscribe to any type of Internet service at home. 67% of broadband subscribers are very satisfied with their service – while just 4% are not satisfied. 29% of broadband subscribers are very interested in receiving faster Internet access at home – while 37% are not interested. Overall, 3% of Internet subscribers say that broadband is not available in their area, Leichtman Research says.

Men spend $908 annually on consumer electronics, women spend $558

An average US household spent $1,229 on consumer electronics products in the past 12 months, $176 less than in the prior year, according to Consumer Electronics Association.

Men continue to spend more on consumer electronics than women, spending $902 annually compared with women, who spent $558. Young adults spent more than any other age group. Consumers ages 18 to 24 reportedly spent $1,056 in 2008 on CE devices, an increase of nearly $100 from the prior year. The average household reports owning 23 CE products, down from 24 products in 2008. The number of separate CE products per household increased, from 13, to 15.

CPU market down 10.9% in Q1 2009

Worldwide PC microprocessor shipments in Q1 2009 fell significantly for the second quarter in a row, according to IDC. In Q1 2009, worldwide PC processor unit shipments declined –10.9% from Q4 2008 to Q1 2009, as compared to –17.0% from Q3 2008 to Q4 2008. Unit shipments declined –13.0% from Q1 2008 to Q1 2009. Market revenue declined –11% from Q4 2009 to Q1 2009, as compared to –18.0% from Q3 2008 to Q4 2008. Revenue declined –25.1% from Q1 2008 to Q1 2009.

26% of US consumers thinking of cutting costs by switching to prepaid cellular

Two out of five Americans with contract-based cell phones (39% or 60.3 mln consumers) are likely to cut back on their cell phones to save money if, as is widely expected, the economy gets worse over the next six months, according to Opinion Research Corporation (ORC) for the New Millennium Research Council (NMRC).

26% of consumers with contract-based cell phone service are more inclined today than 6 months ago to look at a way to save money on their cell phone bill, such as by switching to prepaid phone plans and services. This group includes 38% of those in households making $35,000 a year or less, 32% of African Americans and 30% of those aged 18-34. A total of 19 mln Americans have considered cutting back (5%) or actually have cut back (15%) on such features in the last six months because of actual job loss, fear of job loss, the recession, or any other related financial concerns. More than two out of five cell phone users with extras on their phones (41%) say it is very (19%) or somewhat (21%) likely that they will cut back on cell phone extras if the economy gets worse in the next six months. Fewer than two in five (39%) say it is not likely at all that they will make such cuts in the face of a deepening recession.

Web-to-TV streaming services to generate $2.9 bln by 2013

Over 40% of young adult US households view Internet video on the TV at least once per month, In-Stat found. Revenue from Web-to-TV streaming services will grow to $2.9 bln in 2013. Within five years, the number of US broadband households viewing Web-to-TV content will grow to 24 mln. Already, 29% of US 25 to 34 year olds with game consoles use the devices to watch streaming video off the Internet. In five years, there will be 7.4 mln US broadband households that use media center PCs for streaming Web-to-TV content.

Top-selling smartphones in Q1 2009

Based on US consumer sales of smartphone handsets in NPD’s report, Q1 2009 ranking of the top-five best-selling smartphones is as follows:

  1. RIM BlackBerry Curve (all 83XX models)
  2. Apple iPhone 3G (all models)
  3. RIM BlackBerry Storm
  4. RIM BlackBerry Pearl (all models, except flip)
  5. T-Mobile G1

58% of Americans have a mobile phone with Web connectivity

58% of online consumers currently own a mobile phone capable of connecting to the Web. Of the online consumers with Web-enabled phones, 21% own a smartphone, 8% own an iPhone(TM), and 29% own another type of Web-enabled phone. 42% of PriceGrabber survey respondents said they own a non-Web-enabled phone capable of using voice and text service plans only. iPhone, released on June 29, 2007, jump-started mainstream smartphone adoption, with 75% more online consumers purchasing their first Web-enabled phone in 2007 compared with 2006. Despite the economic climate, 8% of online consumers purchased their first Web-enabled phone in Q1 2009.

10% of online consumers said they purchase online from their mobile device, 16% compare prices and another 16% research product details/specifications. Of the online consumers making purchases from their mobile phones, 58% have purchased digital content for their phone, 51% have purchased consumer electronics, 37% have purchased computers, 36% have purchased books, and 31% have purchased clothing. Smartphone and iPhone owners are comfortable using the mobile Internet to make purchases. 56% of Apple iPhone owners and 28% of smartphone owners already are comparing prices online with their mobile phones. Additionally, 27% of iPhone owners and 35% of smartphone owners anticipate that they will be comparing prices within two years.