A recently published online poll survey results shows that iPod and MP3 players sales continue to grow at an accelerating rate with no signs of breaking down anytime soon. Nevertheless, the poll results also show that iPod owners want one particular feature in Apple’s iPod upcoming models, an FM radio built-in Nano or Shuffle. Rather than bundling its iPods with a built-in FM tuner, Apple opted to offer this feature as an add-on accessory called “Radio Remote”, which allows iPod owners to listen to FM radio and control everything with a wired remote.

The study was conducted by Jacobs Media, a market research firm in late February through early March. It consisted of more than 25,000 respondents from over 69 Rock-formatted stations from all over the U.S.

Since this poll was started in February ‘05, year-to-year personal mp3 player penetration has steadily increased. From the ‘06 to ‘07 studies, ownership is up to 47% of the Rock sample, an impressive jump of 34%. And among Alternative listeners, two-thirds (67%) now own an iPod-like device.

The study asked its participants about the most important new feature that consumers desire in their next personal mp3 player. Overwhelmingly, these respondents want an FM tuner (33%). The FM tuner feature has topped other iPods requests that include increased capacity, a larger screen, and video playback in terms of significance. It is also noteworthy that Apple owners are especially eager in being able to receive FM radio in their next iPods. In effect, four in ten participants (43%) wanted to see the FM tuner built-in in Apple’s upcoming models rather than purchasing a separate FM tuner add-on.

One of the poll’s questions to its participants was directed at those who still don’t own one of these devices, and whether if they intend to purchase one in 2007. Nearly half (45%) of these iPod-less respondents say they are very or somewhat likely to take the plunge. One in ten (12%) has a strong likelihood to buy one sometime during 2007. It should be another great year for Apple and other personal mp3 player manufacturers.

“iPods are showing no signs of stopping,” according to Fred Jacobs, President of Jacobs Media. “Last year, our data showed that the growth of personal mp3 players was far from over. This year, our new study confirms that this phenomenon continues to have lots of life, and we expect strong growth throughout ‘07.”
To download the full report, go to http://www.jacobsmedia.com/tech3_ipod.htm.