Stashbits: iPhone & iTunes Market Share Up, New Model Coming To Walmart?

Digital sales have continued to grow annually with iTunes being the biggest of them all. But what exists outside of the digital space will soon be Apple’s biggest competitors as downloads start to outpace store bought items. Taking in a little more than 1/10th of music sales in the US is a good start but it will take some time before Apple can knock down the monumental retail chains. Meanwhile, Apple has enjoyed a comparable amount of growth with the iPhone surpassing Windows Mobile phones in terms of sales. But these sales could blossom if rumors of a $99 iPhone 3G ring true.

iPhone Surpasses Windows Mobile

The smartphone sector has been growing year after year despite a bad economy, the latest quarterly analysis proved good for typical market competitors such as Nokia, RIM and Apple. The biggest achievement however is the sales of Apple’s iPhone surpassing that of Windows Mobile based Smartphones.

An analysis by Gartner showed Nokia still taking the leading position of the Smartphone market at 42.4% with RIM’s Blackberry sales increasing 87.1%. Apple managed to outsell Smartphones running Windows Mobile in North America which is a first since the device went on sale.

Via Engadget

iTunes Accounts For 12% OF All Music Sold In The Us

In addition to dramatic iPhone growth each quarter, iTunes has had its share of market domination. Besides taking 70% of digital music sales, iTunes has also started to flourish when compared to brick & mortar outlets.

Forrester Research reported that iTunes commands 12.6% of all music sales in the US which encompasses digital downloads, retail stores and other media outlets. Since digital sales make up 20% of music purchases by consumers, iTunes ranks at a little more than half of that percentage thanks to some calculation from Distorted Loop

Via TUAW

4 GB iPhone Coming To Walmart At Lower Price Point?

As we’ve reported previously, the iPhone 3G was set to make a splash at Walmart in time for Black Friday and continue expanding the device’s availability in retail outlets. While that not only has not come true, another rumor has cropped up in its place to further tickle our sweet spots.

Apple Insider reports of a possible 4GB model of the iPhone 3G making its way to Walmart stores nationwide at a somewhat unbelievable price of $99. The previous incarnation of the 4GB iPhone retailed for $499 when it debuted June 2007 but was cut in price $200 shortly after. It didn’t take long to discontinue the low storage model as a newer, 16GB version made its way into the iPhone lineup.

The supposed 4GB model would of course be sold with a 2 year contract attached but factoring in that Apple’s profits would be severely cut, forcing them to make it up over the course of a subscriber’s contract, I highly doubt this rumor will come to fruition.

Via Apple Insider