“Don’t call it a comeback yet, but Sony has a new lineup of digital music players that are slicing into the popularity of Apple Computer’s iPod device in Japan,” Reuters reports. “Apple is still squashing Sony in Europe and North America, where the iPod has achieved iconic status and a big selling point is the availability of iTunes, an easy-to-use music download service that has not yet been launched in Japan.”
“While Apple remains the top seller of hard-drive players in Japan, there has been a decisive momentum swing in the Japanese market, with Sony securing the top position for memory-type players in both May and June, knocking Apple and its iPod Shuffle device into second place,” Reuters reports. “According to market research company BCN, Sony’s share of the Japanese market for flash memory players went from just 4 percent in March to 16 percent in April and shot up to 27 percent in May and June. Apple’s share has fallen to under 20 percent… Sales of the hard-drive units have been less impressive, but that is not surprising as Sony’s only players on the market are 20GB and 30GB models, leaving it without a product to go head-to-head with Apple’s hot-selling iPod mini device.”
“Sony’s new Walkmans have not sold as well in Europe and North America and that several hurdles remain to its success in those markets,” Reuters reports. “One is Apple’s entrenched position. According to industry data, Apple holds 60 to 70 percent of the U.S. digital music player market and is also very strong in Europe.”
“Based on the hardware, they look very sharp. But Sony’s big challenge has always been to create software that is easy to use right out of the box,” said Jon Erensen, a U.S.-based analyst at research company Gartner who tracks the music player market,” Reuters reports. “Erensen said lack of an iTunes online store aimed at users in Japan was a major reason behind Sony’s success in its home market. That could change if Apple, as a newspaper reported, unleashes iTunes in Japan next month.”
Full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Sony has 27-percent of the flash-based market share in Japan. That’s about the gist of it. Color us not shocked. We’re also not the least surprised that this story surfaced the day after Apple announced record earnings, revenue and massive iPod sales and strong Mac sales. So, if BCN’s data are correct, congrats to Sony: one in four flash players purchased in Japan in May and June were Sony brand players. Hey, did they exclude PSP or count it? No matter, that percentage may be their high water mark. iTunes to the rescue! The iTunes Music Store Japan will rewrite that market and Sony’s share will shrink back to “small as a pack of gum” size. Have you tried Sony’s online music store? If not, down some Pepto first, you’ll need it. Sony would be well advised to screw with Apple’s Sony licensing for the Japan iTunes Music Store ad infinitum.
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