October 28, 2007 – A NEW REPORT from the US Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) predicts that portable entertainment devices will come to challenge mobile phones, televisions and PCs as the most popular products.

The report, International CE Ownership and Market Potential, says global consumer electronics revenues will exceed $600 billion this year, with sales of mobile phones expected to reach almost a billion units, televisions reach nearly 200 million and PCs more than 100 million. “Mobile phones, televisions and PCs currently account for more than half of global CE revenue,” said CEA market research director Tim Herbert. “But as other countries continue to adopt newer products, the mix will shift to include portable entertainment and digital imaging.”

The CEA has also found that, as evidenced by their purchase intentions over the next three years, consumers want to be more mobile. The No 1 product in most countries is a mobile phone, followed by a notebook PC. “This reflects the strong desire of consumers to conduct business, manage their personal lives or to be entertained anywhere at any time,” says Herbert.

CEA organises the annual International Consumer Electronics Show, one of the most important indicators of trends in this sector. Next year’s event will take place in Las Vegas on January 7-10.