Although 86 percent of teens own some form of Apple’s iPod, virtually every single American teenager planning to get a new device wants an iPod. The real kicker for other makers of digital music players is that not a single percent want any other brand.

These are the results of Piper Jaffray’s biannual survey of American teens that checks out what digital music players the kids have and which ones they crave. The survey shows that not only does Apple dominate the market for music devices, it completely owns the desires of the younger generation.

A whopping 92 percent of American teens already own some form of music player and by far the favorite is the Apple iPod. Of those devices, 86 percent are made my Apple, leaving only 14 percent of the market between the Microsoft Zune, Sony, SanDisk, Creative and the rest of the market.

Just six months ago the story was much different with 15 percent of teenagers lusting after the Zune and another 6 percent looking at another digital music device. Apple has now likely locked down the market for MP3 players for at least the next 6 months.

This shift to complete and utter Apple fascination is likely due in no small part to the growing following of the iPod Touch. With improved multimedia, Internet access and hundreds of games, the Touch is much more than a simple music player.

These devices allow teens to email friends, check Facebook and surf the Web from anywhere with a Wi-Fi connection. The iPod Touch is an Internet-device that kids can take with them anywhere and keep their music, movies and friends with them.

The iPod Touch is also taking advantage of the casual gaming segment. Much like the Wii roped in millions of players that weren’t your traditional hard-core gamers, the iPod Touch has games that are fun for nearly anyone.

There’s no word yet from Microsoft, Sony or SanDisk on whether they’re going to pack up their bags and go home due to this bleak outlook for their businesses. Anyone have a better idea for them?

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Entry was posted on Friday, April 10th, 2009 at 10:04 am under Apple, Media players, Microsoft, Music.

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