technology/telecoms

Apple’s third-generation iPad sold 3 million units globally in its first three days on the market in March 2012, capturing a minimum of half a billion dollars per day. Global tablet sales surpassed netbook sales in Q2 2011, enrooted to 65 million units in total for the year. That figure is ...

Changes in consumer electronics ownership and cellular data services are creating scenarios that promote online sales: smartphone apps allow consumers to scan barcodes when at brick-and-mortar retailers and help them determine whether immediacy is of sufficient value to incur the price difference; ...

The convenience of communication on the go led millions of American consumers to adopt mobile phones, and as these devices have gained power and features they are playing an increasingly important role in people’s lives. Cellphone ownership has now reached 92% in the U.S. according to Experian ...

Mobile payments are bringing a whole new perspective to the payments industry, with an avalanche of new players that are using cutting-edge technology. However, for these new innovations to be successful, there must be an awareness of how new rules and regulations may come into play, the dramatic ...

Mintel's Special Report Series are unique research findings that shed essential light on British attitudes, hopes, fears and desires.

By providing a comprehensive picture of the UK consumer, Mintel's special reports generally make newsworthy material for the national press, television and radio. ...

This report examines the trends in consumer technology and digital media in the UK. This is the first report in the updated series of Digital Trends, which Mintel has created in response to the changes in technology ownership and usage, as well as to the changing requirements of our readers. These ...

“Fashion retailers are capitalising on the phenomenal popularity and influence of social networks and sites such as Facebook and Twitter have become prime advertising platforms. With users sharing their opinions, experiences and interests via social networks, this channel also provides valuable ...

“The VoD market is in a spasm of growth, with the BBC’s iPlayer continuing to drive awareness of the market as a whole, and a raft of new commercial services set to launch over 2012. What remains is for the wider transaction- or subscription-based VoD market to capitalise on the awareness ...

“Initial enthusiasm for mobile network issued bank cards appears to be subdued, with only 14% of mobile phone users saying that they would use a debit or credit card issued by their mobile network operator. However, network operators are in a good position to provide payment services in addition ...

“The creation of a uniform android skin will no doubt contribute to a greater trust amongst consumers in the viability of games available for the platform. However, it is unlikely to lead to a paid download rate comparable with Apple's iOS ecosystem, as different hardware settings and capabilities ...

“RIM is in need of a ‘killer product’ to turn the company around from continually losing market share to iOS and Android powered handsets. All eyes will be on the launch of RIM’s next device, the BlackBerry London, which will run the next-generation operating system BlackBerry 10.”

– Cecilia Liao, ...

“Online shopping is getting more sophisticated and increasingly convenient. Consumers already expect to be able to find the products they want online, look for information about those products and read impartial reviews to help guide them to their final choice. But for many home goods there are ...

“Increasingly, providers such as Virgin and Sky have been offering up triple-play and quad-play bundles featuring television, broadband internet, mobile phone contracts and fixed line contracts. For providers who do not offer similar packages, reminding consumers of the qualitative benefits a ...

“Personal data is the new currency, and retailers need to consider investing in free wi-fi connections for shoppers in exchange for permission to better understand their customers’ shopping habits and behaviour.”

– Cecilia Liao, Senior Technology Analyst

Some questions answered in this report include:

“The mobile phone sector must change. Technology is moving on and the distinction between a mobile phone and other digital products is becoming more and more blurred. A mobile phone now has so many functions that it can no longer be viewed in isolation and it is just one of many products that ...

As a result of the continuing effects of the recession, trade association Retail Ireland reports that retail sales for RoI are down by 30% as of February 2012, when compared to the levels experienced during times of economic prosperity.

As Irish consumers feel increasingly time-poor, retail options ...

Based on Mintel’s consumer research about one in five adults played online games in the 30 days prior to their interviews in 2011, and according to Nielsen, an estimated 10% of time spent online is devoted to playing games—proof that online gaming is a source of entertainment for many adults. ...

In the context of a rapidly changing, fast-evolving digital landscape, media usage is in a period of major transformation. While use of more traditional media (broadcast TV, radio) and communication devices (landlines) remains widespread, a wide range of consumers are embracing new technologies ...

The performance of the console game market is intrinsically linked to the release of new hardware. Historically, a new generation is released about every five years, with sales rising dramatically in the first two years or so and slowing thereafter. The current generation of video game ...

At a time when many other sectors have been stagnant or struggling, social media ad spending has shown spectacular growth. Ad spend has followed the rapid growth in consumer usage of social networks and the initiatives of Facebook to develop and promote social media marketing opportunities. Spend ...