According to a US research company called MultiMedia Intelligence, this number represents a 73 per cent growth from 2006, mailing due to increased shipments of next generation gaming consoles which can connect to the internet, such as the Sony PlayStation 3.
While many of these consoles remain unconnected to the internet, according to the research, the fact that shipments have risen so exponentially raises huge market opportunities for music and video downloads, online gaming and a number of internet-based value-added services.
In late 2007, games creator Activision announced that more than 2 million songs associated with the ?Guitar Hero' game were accessed through the Xbox Live service over a 5-month period.
"An increasing variety of TV-centric consumer electronics devices with IP interfaces is developing. Manufacturers are adding IP interfaces across TVs, DVD equipment, as well as cable, telco, and satellite set top boxes," said MultiMedia Intelligence president, Mark Kirstein.
