EUROPEAN PDA BATTLE HOTTING UP FOR Q404

Thanks largely to its success in France, palmOne took the number one position in the PDA retail market in September 2004 in the Top 5 European countries, according to the latest report from Context's SalesWatch which tracks sales of business and consumer technology products through indirect channels of distribution in Europe.

Although palmOne's consumer market share dipped in July, the company regained some strength in August and September, increasing to 42% against rival HP's 36% market share in September. While its entire portfolio of products sold well, the Zire 31 helped secure it a higher market share than HP also in the German consumer market.

In the Spanish retailer channel, HP led with a share of 34%, but in second place palmOne was challenged by Acer, who with its n30 range, managed to outsell palmOne in September and had the best selling product overall in the Spanish retailer channel. Acer was also number two in the total overall Spanish market with 22% of the market share against palmOne's 18%.

In the business channels however, HP was a clear European number one in September, as it has been since July 2003. In France, palmOne gained considerable amounts of share in both August and July and led the business channel with 54% of the market against HP's 40% in September. In Germany palmOne also had a good run in the business channel and led with three percentage points in September. Its Tungsten E and Zire 31 proved popular, while HP's 2210 and 4150 ranges secured the vendor a strong leadership in the business channels in UK, Spain and the Netherlands.