December 14, 2001
PDA growth rate has been very strong since 1996. The worldwide PDA market surpassed a significant milestone in 2000--unit sales of over 10M. However, the recession in the USA has slowed the PDA growth rate in 2001. The recession is likely to spread across the world in 2002, which will keep the PDA growth rate well below the 1999-2000 increases. Despite slower future growth rates in the 20-30% range, the PDA industry will have another milestone--PDA worldwide sales exceeding 50M units in 2006.
Palm currently has the leading PDA operating system, but it will see increasing competition from Windows CE/Pocket PC, Symbian Epoc and from Linux. Pocket PC has become a formidable competitor and is gaining market share. The future winner depends on how the PDA market evolves. The more capability future PDAs need, the better the Pocket PC stack up against Palm devices. If Phone-PDAs take off, Epoc-based products are likely to further erode Palm's position. -0-
| Worldwide_PDA_Unit_Sales | 2000 | 2001 | 2003 | 2005 | 2007 |
| Win_CE-Pocket_PC_(No.K) | 2,225 | 4,205 | 9,005 | 15,960 | 24,355 |
| Palm_OS_PDAs_(No.K) | 6,695 | 7,595 | 11,250 | 14,035 | 16,395 |
| Other_OS_PDAs_(No.K) | 3,350 | 4,575 | 8,235 | 13,530 | 20,620 |
| Worldwide_PDAs_(No.K) | 12,175 | 16,375 | 28,490 | 43,525 | 61,370 |
| USA_PDA_Unit_Sales | |||||
| Win_CE-Pocket_PC_(No.K) | 815 | 1,430 | 3,125 | 5,565 | 8,445 |
| Palm_OS_PDAs_(No.K) | 4,365 | 4,780 | 6,785 | 8,390 | 9,710 |
| Other_OS_PDAs_(No.K) | 360 | 430 | 860 | 1,725 | 2,955 |
| USA_PDAs_(No.K) | 5,540 | 6,640 | 10,770 | 15,680 | 21,110 |
"The Palm OS lead is being challenged by Pocket PC devices and the likely future success by Symbian-based Phone-PDAs", says Dr. Egil Juliussen, the author of the report. "Palm OS PDAs should retain its lead in the USA, but Palm-based PDAs do not have enough strength outside the U.S. to remain in the worldwide lead past 2005".
More information is available in "Worldwide PDA Markets", a market research report by eTForecasts. The report explores technology trends, product segments, software platforms and market opportunities for PDAs.
eTForecasts publishes market research reports for the PC, information appliance and Internet industries. For more information see http://www.etforecasts.com
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