Amazon.com Tech Trends; Electronics Trends From Leading Online Electronics Retailer Amazon.com
April 29, 2002 — (based on purchasing information from more than 26 million active Amazon.com customers)
Handspring Treo Fuels 200 Percent Increase in Sales of PDA Phones
— Since its launch in early March, the Handspring Treo, which is a combination PDA and phone, has consistently been one of the top five best-selling phones in Amazon.com's Cell Phones & Services store.
— Since the Treo's introduction, Amazon.com customers have also embraced two other PDA-phone models, Kyocera's Smartphone and Samsung's I300 phone, with the store reporting a 200 percent increase in unit sales of both products this April over volumes in January and February.
Consumers Can't Get Enough of The Sims – Sales of Virtual-Vacation Version Sizzling
— Since its debut over two years ago, the original version of The Sims has never fallen below No. 10 in the Amazon.com Computer Games sales chart.
— Since their respective launches, The Sims' four expansion packs (House Party, Livin' Large, Hot Date and Vacation) have impressively remained in the top 25 of best-selling titles in the Computer Games store.
— The Sims Vacation Expansion Pack has been the best-selling PC game at Amazon.com for two months, except for a three-day stint when Dungeon Siege claimed the No. 1 sales spot.
— To celebrate spring, Electronic Arts and Amazon.com are hosting The Sims Vacation Sweepstakes. By registering through the Computer Games store at www.amazon.com/computergames, one grand-prize winner will receive a one-week, all-inclusive family vacation to Beaches Boscobel Spa Resort & Golf Club in Ocho Rios, Jamaica.
Flat-Panel iMacs Still Top the Amazon.com Computer Store Sales Chart
— Consumers were quick to respond when the new flat-panel iMacs launched in mid-February, snapping up Amazon.com's entire first shipment in less than four hours.
— Despite an initial limited supply industry-wide, the iMacs have maintained record-setting sales on the site and continue to be the fastest-selling computers in the history of Amazon.com's Computer store.
— Flat-panel iMacs are now in plentiful supply in the Amazon.com Computer store and hold two of the top three bestseller spots, with the iMac protection plan being the third bestseller:
1. Apple iMac Desktop (800 MHz PowerPC G4, 256 MB RAM, 60 GB hard drive)
2. Apple iMac Desktop (700 MHz PowerPC G4, 256 MB RAM, 40 GB hard drive)
3. AppleCare Protection Plan for iMac (three-year plan)
Mother's Day Gift Recommendations from the Amazon.com Electronics Editors
Please even the most low-tech moms with these gift suggestions from Amazon.com's editorial experts.
— Oregon Scientific PE316CA pedometer with calorie counter ($19.99): A lightweight and durable fitness tool that helps keep track of distance walked, number of steps taken and calories burned.
— Samsung YP-20T 32 MB Mini-Yepp MP3 player ($59.99): Upgrade Mom's giant '80s walkman with the world's smallest full-featured digital player, perfect for keeping her company while gardening or working out.
— Palm m100 handheld ($94.94): An entry-level handheld organizer to help Mom multitask.
— Ceiva Internet-enabled photo frame ($199.94): A simple plug-in-and-play photo frame that downloads your latest digital photos from the Web and displays them in full color without requiring computer skills or Internet access.
— Kodak DX3900 EasyShare 3 MP digital camera ($328.94): An easy and affordable digital camera that's great for preserving special family moments.
— ReplayTV 4040 digital video recorder with 40 hours of recording time ($699.99): Spoil Mom with this digital video recorder that will let her watch television on her own schedule, with no tapes, no timers and no trouble.
Other Resources Offered by Amazon.com
Amazon.com's product sales rankings, Top Sellers and Movers & Shakers lists make it easy to track correlations between what's happening in the world and consumer purchasing habits. Since they are updated throughout the day, these lists can be used to find metrics to support analyst and expert predictions and to gauge how products fare after launches, recent media coverage, etc.
— Amazon.com Top Sellers lists track online sales in real time and can be found at www.amazon.com/top-sellers. In addition to an overall Electronics Hot 100 Top Sellers list, the Electronics store features individual lists for hot categories like Home Theater, Handhelds and DVD Players.
— Amazon.com Movers & Shakers lists, located at www.amazon.com/movers-and-shakers, feature the biggest gainers in sales rank over the past 24 hours. The lists are organized by product type: electronics, software, books, music, videos, DVDs, toys and games, video games, kitchen items and housewares, outdoor living products and tools and hardware.
— Amazon.com's expert editorial staff is available to discuss the latest products, sales and trends in categories from digital cameras and DVD players to video games, computers and software. Additionally, editors can pull customized information to supplement stories, including sales statistics, regional buying patterns, top seller lists for any product category and comparisons of sales over time.
CONTACT:
Amazon.com Media Relations
Ling Hong, 206/266-7180