We’ve actually been waiting for a few years for this, but it finally appears the digital frame market may be about to explode, according to recently released statistics from Parks Associates. The report, titled Digital Cameras and Imaging: Analysis and Forecasts, states the global market for digital photo frame products will exceed 12 million units by 2010, up from an estimated 700,000 units shipped in 2005.
“The digital photo frame market has finally emerged from the doldrums of 2001-2003, when low consumer interest and high hardware costs dampened demand,” said Harry Wang, research analyst at Parks Associates. “This reinvigorated market is ready for its second life.”
The report attributes the renewed interest in digital photo frame products to consumers’ heightened familiarity with digital imaging applications, the growing number and increasing significance of digital pictures in households around the world, more affordable prices for hardware and flash memory, and better product design and features, which create a more enjoyable user experience.
“This industry still has to clear a few bumps in the road ahead, and consumers are not likely to change their habits overnight,” Wang said. “But gradually, the digital photo frame will convince families of its many merits, including convenience, ease of use, and stunning visual effects.” Wang also believes expanded retail presence will further heighten consumers’ awareness and push the product category into the mainstream.
As a result, this market is beginning to get fairly crowded with new players such as Fidelity, Media Street, Everstar, Smartparts, TAO, Westinghouse, Edge Tech and Royal, to name just a few, coming to market with more affordable, easy to use product.
The old guard in this category, which includes Digital Frames, Ceiva, Philips, Sony, Pacific Digital and PhotoVu also began bringing product to market last year that answered the call for more affordable, less complicated models in this segment. When you couple all this with the fact the younger demographic has moved away from printing images as a means to share them, the sky appears to be the limit for the digital frame product category.
