Drones, VR to Cross $1 Billion Mark in 2017 as Smartphone Shipments Rise 3%, CTA Says
Consumer technology sales are on track for 3.2 percent growth this year to $321 billion, CTA reported Wednesday. CTA projects drones, OLED TV and virtual reality (VR) technology will each cross $1 billion in revenues for the first time in…
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2017. Among emerging technologies, wearables -- including fitness trackers, other health and fitness devices, hearables, over-the-counter hearing devices and smartwatches -- are expected to see 9 percent revenue growth to 48 million units, ringing up $5.6 billion. Smart home products are forecast to grow 48 percent to $3.3 billion. Sales of digital assistant devices are expected to spike 53 percent to 11 million units, pulling in $1.3 billion, while mobile VR headsets are forecast to surge 79 percent to 5.3 million units, generating $1.3 billion, said CTA. Sales of drones under about one-half pound -- FAA cutoff for mandatory drone registration -- are projected to grow 40 percent, reaching 3.4 million units with $1.1 billion revenue. In maturing categories, smartphones may advance 3 percent to 185 million shipments, totaling $55.6 billion.