Gartner Says Wireless E-Mail Applications Drive Worldwide PDA Shipments Increase 25 Percent in First Quarter of 2005
May 4, 2005 — Worldwide personal
digital assistant (PDA) shipments totaled 3.4 million units in the first
quarter of 2005, a 25 percent increase from the same period last year,
according to Gartner, Inc. This was the strongest first quarter the industry
has experienced.
The average selling price (ASP) of PDAs
increased 15 percent in the first quarter of 2005 compared to the first quarter
of 2004. The ASP was $406, which is the highest since Gartner began ASP
estimates in 2000. Gartner analysts attributed the increased prices to the
popularity of high-end wireless models.
"PDAs with integrated wireless local area network (LAN) or cellular capabilities
accounted for approximately 55 percent of all PDAs shipped in the first quarter
of 2005," said Todd Kort, principal analyst in Gartner's Computing Platforms
Worldwide group. "This increase is primarily the result of the growing
popularity of wireless e-mail, with users favoring larger displays and QWERTY
keyboards that are operated with both hands."
Research in Motion's BlackBerry shipments
grew 75.6 percent in the first quarter, as the company became the No. 1 ranked
vendor in worldwide PDA shipments (see Table 1). palmOne PDA shipments declined
26.3 percent, and its market share fell to 18 percent, its lowest market share
since it entered the market in 1996. Nokia's re-entry into the wireless PDA
market with the 9300 and 9500 enabled it to move into the No. 4 position.
Notes: Totals do not
include smartphones, such as the Treo 650 and BlackBerry 7100, but include
wireless PDAs, such as the iPAQ 6315 and Nokia 9300. Columns may not add to
totals shown because of rounding.
N/A = Not applicable
Source: Gartner Dataquest (April 2005)
Microsoft has become the No. 1 PDA
operating system (OS), as it accounted for 46 percent of worldwide shipments
(see Table 2). RIM assumed the second position, as Palm OS slipped to the No. 3
ranking, due to Palm OS shipments declining 38.8 percent. "We expect that
palmOne will be adding other operating systems and setting more of its own
direction, while PalmSource is redirecting itself toward Linux and
smartphones," Mr. Kort said.
Notes:
Totals do not include smartphones, such as the Treo 650 and BlackBerry 7100,
but include wireless PDAs, such as the iPAQ 6315 and Nokia 9300.
Columns may not add to totals shown because of rounding.
Source: Gartner Dataquest (April 2005)
The Western European PDA market grew 84.3 percent to 1.3 million units in the first
quarter of 2005, while PDA shipments in the also totaled 1.3
million units, a 5 percent increase. PDA shipments in Asia/Pacific declined 2.7
percent with approximately 352,000 unit shipments. In Japan, PDA
shipments declined 21.3 percent with nearly 80,000 units shipped in the first
quarter.
About Gartner:
Gartner, Inc. is the leading provider of research and analysis on the global information technology industry. Gartner serves more than 10,000 clients, including chief information officers and other senior IT executives in corporations and government agencies, as well as technology companies and the investment community. The Company focuses on delivering objective, in-depth analysis and actionable advice to enable clients to make more informed business and technology decisions. The Company's businesses consist of Research and Events for IT professionals; Gartner Executive Programs, membership programs and peer networking services; and Gartner Consulting, customized engagements with a specific emphasis on outsourcing and IT management. Founded in 1979, Gartner is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, and has over 3,900 associates, including more than 1,100 research analysts and consultants, in more than 75 locations worldwide. For more information,
visit www.gartner.com.
