ipod sales

Today is one of Sony’s biggest achievements in the digital music player market in the last 5 years. They have managed to outsell the iPod lineup with its latest version of the Walkman. According to Tokyo-based research firm BCN Inc., for the week ending August 30th, the Walkman series had a 43 percent share of the personal music player market versus 42.1 percent for iPods. Congrats Sony, but BCN forgot to tell you that iPhones don’t count as iPods, so they title will be forever left with an asterik. The iPhone 3GS is currently the best-selling phone in Japan, so if you combine those figures, Apple is sure to have their crown back. Congrats to Sony though, this is not something that should go unnoticed. I didn’t even know they were still making a walkman. (Engadget)

Apple released it’s 2008 Q4 earnings today, the best quarter in Apple’s history.
Apple boasted $7.9 Billion in revenue, with profits of $1.14 Billion.
6.9 million iPhones were sold within the quarter (compared to 6.1 million first generation iPhones sold in total *although first gens were only available in the US). Apple set out to sell 10 million iPhones in 2008, they’ve now achieved this goal.
Mac sales are up 21% as compared to a year ago, shipping 2.6 million units
Sold 11 million iPods, up 8% from last year’s sales.
Steve Jobs says,”“We don’t yet know how this economic downturn will affect Apple. But we’re armed with the strongest product line in our history, the most talented employees and the best customers in our industry. And $25 billion of cash safely in the bank with zero debt.”

Anyone care to play the devil’s advocate and share what about this economy will affect Apple negatively?

Sony Walkman Now Outselling iPods In Japan*