News
Study: iPods overwhelmingly used for audio, not video
Despite the fifth-generation iPod’s much-touted video capabilities, which were added in October 2005, the device is still mainly used for audio, according to a recent study by Nielsen Media Research. The study found that less than 1% of content played by iPod users on either iTunes or the device itself were videos. Among 5G (video) iPod users, only 2.2% of content played was video. The study also found that 15.8% of iPod users have played a video on either iPod or iTunes. Nielsen monitored a panel of 400 iPod users in the U.S. from October 1-27 for the study.
“Owners of Apple’s ubiquitous portable media device spend far more time on it listening to music or audio podcasts than they do using it to watch TV or movies,” Andrew Wallenstein of The Hollywood Reporter writes. “That was among the findings in an unprecedented preliminary study conducted by the audience-measurement service in October—about one year after a video window was introduced to iPod and its corresponding Internet platform, iTunes. The iPod research conducted by Nielsen is the first publicly available independently published data on consumption habits for the device.”
Related Stories
- Sony launches Music Unlimited for iOS
- Infinity Blade II: Vault of Tears update released
- Purported iPod touch 5G panel points to larger screen
- Ravensburger launches Scotland Yard for iOS
- Apple product placement up in 2011
- Report: Siri APIs, Siri for iPad coming in iOS 6?
Comments
If you have a comment, news tip, advertising inquiry, or coverage request, a question about iPods/iPhones/iPad or accessories, or if you sell or market iPod/iPhone/iPad products or services, read iLounge's Comments + Questions policies before posting, and fully identify yourself if you do. We will delete comments containing advertising, astroturfing, trolling, personal attacks, offensive language, or other objectionable content, then ban and/or publicly identify violators.
Recent News
- Pulp adds iCloud sync, new Home Page
- WordPress for iOS adds Push Notifications
- Sony launches Music Unlimited for iOS
- Apple device poll ends, computing poll begins
- Fruit Ninja adds new features and power-ups
- Apple to sell Nest Learning Thermostat
- Third-gen iPad to launch in Guam, Philippines May 29
- Apple tweaks App Store with Editors’ Choice, Free picks
- Panic releases Diet Coda
- Booq rolls out new Folio for iPad
Recent Reviews
- Pelican i1075 Hardback Case for iPad
- Skinit Skins for iPad (3rd-Generation)
- Spigen SGP Steinheil Ultra Optics Screen Protector for iPad (3rd-Gen)
- ZeroChroma VarioProtect for iPhone 4/4S
- BodyGuardz UltraTough Clear Skins for iPad (3rd-Gen)
- Wrapsol Original + Ultra Hybrid Protective Film for iPad 2/iPad (3rd-Gen)
- iBattz Mojo Removable Power Card Wallet
- dreamGEAR i.Sound Power View Pro S 2.1A Dual Charging Dock
- dreamGEAR i.Sound Universal Power View
- Sena Cases Florence Portfolio for iPad (3rd-Gen)
Recent Articles
- Removing music from iTunes after copying to iPod
- iOS Gems: Farm 123, Facebook Camera, Scribblenauts, Shoot the Zombirds + Virtua Tennis Challenge
- iTunes TV show size totals don’t match actual disk storage
- Consolidating Multiple iTunes Libraries
- Converting Purchased Videos to 1080p HD
- Find My Friends always reports home location
- Creating an iTunes Match library from an external hard drive
- Benefits of keeping apps in iTunes when using iCloud
- Recovering iTunes from an External Hard Drive
- Normalizing volume levels for Voice Memos
21
Just wanted to clarify something ddsd said in his post. The quote says (and I quote) “on their devices OR online at iTunes” (emphasis added). That doesn’t require the conclusion that those who don’t own video iPods are actually viewing video on their nanos (which, as I understand it, is impossible without a major hack). It means that people are watching the video on iTunes, rather than on their iPod. That seemed sort of obvious to me.
Posted by urbanslaughter on November 21, 2006 at 2:10 PM (PDT)
22
News flash: 98% of the time when I’m listening to my iPod I can’t be watching video on it (in the car, at work, in the mall, at the gym).
I still love the capability and it’s why I bought the thing.
Posted by dasmegabyte on November 21, 2006 at 2:16 PM (PDT)
23
Studies also reveal that the sky is most definitely blue…
Posted by Fritz on November 21, 2006 at 7:57 PM (PDT)
24
the reason that nobody plays videos on their ipod is because nobody uses the formats that the ipod uses. It’s rediculous.
Posted by Remis on November 23, 2006 at 9:35 PM (PDT)
25
I think Urbanslaughter had a great point on this issue: video isn’t a great portable medium. A lot of people use their ipods when working, driving, or exercising, and in most cases these are times when you want music but need to put your visual attention eslewhere (computer screen, the road, other people around you so you don’t exercise right into them). Video is, after all, something you sit and watch.
I can see more videos being viewed in the iTunes player on desktop and laptop screens than on the smaller ipod-video screen, but even in that instance, itunes-video-playback is competing with other sources of video like dvd players, content-on-demand through dvrs and pay-per-view, and standard television broadcasts.
Posted by Chibithulhu on November 26, 2006 at 10:13 AM (PDT)
Page 2 of 2 pages < 1 2