Research and Markets has announced the addition of In-Depth Analysis: Consumer Electronics Devices Warming Up to Wi-Fi to its offering. Wi-Fi uptake in consumer electronics (CE) is highly dependent on the dynamics within each specific CE device category.

We expect that handheld games and gaming consoles will continue to be leading Wi-Fi-enabled CE device categories across the forecast period. CE device categories that will show marked growth in Wi-Fi attach rates by 2010 will include portable digital music players, set-top boxes, digital TVs, and portable media players (PMPs).

Wi-Fi's adoption into high-volume CE categories opens the door for even single-digit Wi-Fi attach rates to translate into millions of Wi-Fi shipments. Even with sub-10% Wi-Fi attach rates expected for STBs and DTVs in 2010, Wi-Fi-enabled shipments within each of these device categories are still expected to number in the millions.

Although Wi-Fi already sits alongside many complementary technologies such as wired Ethernet, Bluetooth, and USB in many device categories, Wireless USB promises to be a serious competitor in the digital video camcorder, digital still camera, printer, and MFP device segments.

Innovative start-ups such as MusicGremlin, Slim Devices, and Sonos currently sell Wi-Fi-enabled CE devices, alongside CE giants including Philips, Samsung, Sharp, and Sony, and networking vendors like D-Link and Linksys. However, it may take crossover networking-digital home specialists like Apple and Microsoft to really ignite Wi-Fi's acceptance in the broad market.

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