Mobile media mania - Portable music and media players top this year's

technology wish lists

NEW YORK, Dec. 14 /PRNewswire/ - We'll be seeing a lot more headphones in the next three months, according to a survey of consumer household technology purchase intentions by Ipsos Insight, the U.S. survey-based market research group. Almost a quarter of respondents (22%) anticipate buying a portable MP3 player or lower-storage Apple iPod Shuffle or iPod Nano (to use primarily for music) in the next three months, and 14% are interested in buying a portable multimedia device, such as the 30GB or 60GB iPod, Sony PSP, Creative Zen, or iRiver devices.

For the fourth consecutive year, Ipsos Insight surveyed a nationally representative sample of 511 U.S. adults as they head into the holiday shopping season to determine their likelihood of buying specific electronics over the next three months.

"The portable music device category exploded this year, with interest in MP3 players up 9% over last year's survey. In addition, it spun off an entirely new category - portable multimedia devices - which captured the purchase interest of 14% of consumers," said Todd Board, leader of Ipsos Insight's Technology & Communications practice. "This big leap reflects the 'sweet spot' appeal of these portable devices, which balance compactness, simplicity, capacity, and features, while managing to maintain affordable price-points."

Tech Gifts All Wrapped Up?

"Many respondents apparently hadn't received their friends' and families' wish lists yet!" said Board. "When consumers were asked which technology was the hot ticket for under the tree this holiday season, nearly half (45%) didn't know which consumer electronics product or service was desirable. Retailers will definitely have a chance to persuade customers in-store."

"Portable MP3 players (15%) and dedicated TV game consoles (13%) were the most cited gifts to give," added Board.

To peruse the full release, with charts, please go to:

http://www.ipsos-na.com/news/pressrelease.cfm?id=2904

For more information on this release, please contact:

Todd Board

Technology & Communications Practice

Ipsos Insight

tel: 415.597.4013

email: todd.board@ipsos.na.com SOURCE Ipsos