While I do mean mostly teenagers, I have seen kids as young as 9 or 10 with an iTouch and maybe even a phone. The age for getting electronic gadgets is getting younger and younger.
Well like many see with economies, it's not about crashing and burning but it is 'creative destruction' controlled by the marketplace. So the handheld device makers must innovate or use more creative measures to stay alive and relevant in today's world, if they have not already done so.
I tend to look at this a different way. I wouldn't say that Smartphones are killing handheld gaming, I would say that Smartphones are expanding handheld gaming. These devices are now becoming many in one (i.e. phone, internet browser, game console, etc). It is hurting companies who only build gaming products (i.e. Nintendo), but still making handheld gaming easily accessible. With smartphones becoming more powerful all the time, more advanced games can be used on them.
As everyone rightly pointed out Smartphones are killing Handheld gaming, I think Ipads are creating a great revolution and there will be a huge hit with respect to other companies and manufacturers.
Thanks Hospice_Houngbo, this is another good point. Demographic trend especially in western part of the globe, won't really help in the near future, handheld market, then this is why they are coming to be replaced by smartphone owned by people older, like teenagers.
" maybe console or handheld will be still in place, especially for babies and children till the age of primary school."
I agree, but this demographic alone won't be enough to help the handheld gaming industry remain viable for a long time. The averrage age of gamers (as of 2011) is 37 according to this article on Wikipedia(See "Demographics" section).
One thing is certain: Smartphones are changing the gaming industry as many prefer the low cost video games for smartphones even though the quality is not always the same as what we can get with the traditional handheld gaming devices. But it doesn't matters for most casual gamers.
Good eemom, in your opinion or experience, "kids" means teenagers? If this is the sense, probably handheld will remain in the market for people younger.
I agree that Smartphones are killing the handheld games but I think the iPod touch specifically is the one that is taking over. While not a phone, the touch does everything iPhone can do except make calls. You can even download a free texting app. I see more and more kids with the touch than the DS and you are right, it makes a lot more sense. It has a lot more functionality than simply playing games and a lot of games are free or cost just a few dollars.
I think smartphones are absolutely killing the handheld gaming market. Besides Nintendo, which has had a grasp on the handheld market since the Gameboy was introduced, the only other stable attempt was Sony's PSP. In the last few years Sony's marketing and selection of games has dwindled down to nothing. Keep in mind this was a system that also played top of the line movies and had removable memory cards.
With the introduction of the Sony/Ericcson Xperia, Sony has combined a handheld Playstation platform along with a smartphone running the Android OS. I think the release of this type of smartphone has pretty much put the end to future handheld systems.
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Thailand Stages a Comeback Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Euro-Crisis: What It Means for High-Tech Firms Join EBN Editor in Chief Bolaji Ojo and Contributing Editor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday, July 12, at 10:00 a.m. EDT for a Live Chat on high-tech and Europe's economic difficulties.
Microsoft Surface: Potential Winners & Losers What are the implications for the electronics industry supply chain of Microsoft Corp.'s decision to launch its own tablet PC? Join industry veteran and EE Times' systems and OEM expert Rick Merritt on Tuesday, July 3, at 12:00 pm EDT for a Live Chat on this subject.
Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Peter Drucker famously said "Trying to predict the future is like trying to drive down a country road at night with no lights while looking out the back window." Yet in the razor's-edge world of electronics—with a lean supply chain and just-in-time demands—the need to know the future is vital.
While no one really can accurately predict the future, we can take guidance from another Drucker saying which is the best way to predict the future is to create it.
You've heard the saying "the No. 1 supply chain risk is your people." That hasn't always been the case. But today's complex global supply chain requires a new type of multitalented employee. It's one who understands, finance, marketing, economics, is savvy with technology, graceful with relationships and can think analytically.
Where are these people? Are universities properly preparing the next generation supply chain professionals? How do train your existing workforce for these new, demanding positions?
Brian Fuller, editor-in-chief of EBN, will lead a 60-minute Avnet Velocity panel discussion that will ask and answer these and other questions swirling around today's supply-chain talent challenges.
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