In a new report, IMS Research (http://www.fpdmarketresearch.com) says the success of the iPad is not slowing down the eBook reader market.
Shipments of electrophoretic display (EPD) frontplanes were up over 20% in the first quarter of 2010 (Q1’10) with even faster growth expected in Q2’10. In addition, eBook shipments are expected to rebound from a seasonally weak Q1’10 and rise by over 30% quarter-over-quarter worldwide in Q2’10. Based on supply chain surveys, 2010 eBook shipments are headed to around 15M units, according to IMS Research.
Amazon continued to dominate the global eBook market with a 48% share in Q1’10. Barnes & Noble rose to #4 with an 8% share with its innovative Nook product.
Prime View International (PVI) widened its share advantage over its competitors in Q1’10 accounting for nearly 90% of the eBook display market. Its financials have also improved remarkably with its gross margins rising from -16% in Q1’09 to 30% in Q1’10, the highest among all TFT LCD suppliers.
Six-inches is the dominant eBook size accounting for 75% of the Q1’10 market. iPad panel shipments were over 1M units in Q1’10 and should exceed 10 million units for the year with iPad shipments exceeding eight million units, according to IMS Research Senior Vice President, who authored the report.