Eleven million eReaders are projected to be shipped globally in 2012, down from a peak volume of 15 million devices in 2011. The growing popularity of media tablets - along with declining U.S. "baby boomer" population and lack of organized digital bookstores outside of the United States and Western Europe - will reduce eReader opportunities in the future.
Over the next 5 years, annual eReader shipments are projected to drop by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.1%. In contrast, global media tablet shipments are predicted to increase from approximately 102 million annual device shipments in 2012 to nearly 250 million in 2017. Despite the average tablet selling for more than $465 as a result of Apple's dominant market position, tablets are expected to outsell eReaders nine to one this year.
For more information on ABI Research's recent study and service on eReaders, digital publishing, media tablets, and mobile enabling device technologies, please click here.
