River's new MP3 player hits shelves
Published on May 21, 2004
Leading South Korean digital-product manufacturer i-River yesterday launched its advanced MP3 player in Thailand.
The company aims to secure a 45-per-cent market share within six months.
Chief executive Marilyn Chen said the launch was part of the company's Asian-market expansion.
Its available products in Thailand include iMP portable CD/MP3 players and its renowned H120 and H140 digital-music jukeboxes, which feature 20 gigabytes (6,000 MP3 files) and 40 gigabytes (12,000 MP3 files) of storage capacity respectively.
i-River has assigned local IT-product distributor Jebsen & Jessen Marketing to sell its products in Thailand.
Chen said i-River was the world's number-two manufacturer of MP3 players last year after Apple, whose iPod is the market leader.
"We have projected US$400 million [Bt16.3 billion] in revenue this year worldwide, up from $250 million last year,'' she said.
That figure is expected to rise to $1 billion within three years, she added.
The advanced MP3 player was launched at major IT fair Commart Thailand 2004, which started yesterday at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre.
The fair ends on Sunday. The fair is showcasing products from 300 IT brands and expects 500,000 visitors and Bt700 million in consumer spending.
Sirivish Toomgum
THE NATION
