THE EXPERIMENTATION WITH longer-form mobile video that currently characterizes the market will probably continue for two more years at least, reports market research firm In-Stat.
By 2008, however, the industry will begin to gain traction and demonstrate its long-term potential, which rests with its ability to complement the existing video industry. For example, there will be over 50 million portable media players in use worldwide by 2008, says Michael Inouye, In-Stat analyst. "The portable/mobile long form video market (30 minutes or more) will not likely cannibalize sales from the DVD and other traditional markets, but rather, supplement top-line growth."
Despite the search for the mobile "Swiss Army Knife" of a phone, music player and video unit, "it is not clear if users will prefer an all-purpose multimedia cellular phone or separate voice and multimedia devices," says the report.
Also:
* Mobile video subscribers stand to represent over 10% of US wireless subscribers by 2009.
* Roughly one out of eight respondents in an In-Stat survey of mobile users expressed interest in mobile video for the cellular market.
