Device made popular in iPhone catching on

When your iPhone's screen automatically reorients itself, it's using a nascent silicon technology expected to become a $1.7 billion market by 2013.

Apple uses an accelerometer to reorient the iPhone's screen

(Credit: Apple)

It's called an accelerometer--and the iPhone brought these devices into the mainstream.

"When you turn your iPhone to the side and the screen automatically adjusts from portrait to landscape view, there's an accelerometer at work. And when you swing your (Nintendo) Wii controller and bowl a virtual strike, there's an accelerometer at work there too," iSuppli noted in a report released Thursday. The market for these devices is expected to grow to $1.7 billion in 2013, up from $947.7 million in 2007, according to the market research firm.

Accelerometers are based on another burgeoning silicon field, Microelectromechanical Systems, or MEMS--also referred to as micromachines. MEMS are made up of components typically no larger than 100 micrometers in size and usually integrate a microprocessor and other components, such as the microsensor found in the iPhone's accelerometer.

Accelerometers in recent years have emerged as a popular input device for some of the world's hottest electronic products, causing shipments to boom, according to iSuppli. "Due to this rapid sales growth, accelerometers by 2013 will displace the current leading MEMS products--inkjet heads and Digital Light Processing (DLP) chips--to become the dominant type of MEMS device sold worldwide in 2013," said Jérémie Bouchaud, iSuppli principal analyst for MEMS, in a statement.

"Consumers' desire for motion-sensing in smart phones and video game systems will boost demand for accelerometers," Bouchaud added.

A major catalyst for the rise in accelerometer sales is pricing, according to Bouchaud. Accelerometers broke the "magic" $1 barrier in 2008, making them attractive in a larger number of products, he said.

In 2009, revenue from consumer and mobile applications for accelerometers is expected to exceed that of automotive applications, iSuppli said. Until now, automotive has been the biggest application by far for accelerometers. Automotive applications accounted for 40 percent of global accelerometer revenue in 2008, down from 78 percent in 2006. In contrast, consumer electronics and wireless accelerometer revenue rose from 22 percent to 58 percent during the same period, iSuppli said.

And who are the players? By the end of 2008, STMicroelectronics had taken the lead in accelerometers based on its success in supplying the consumer and wireless communications markets. The other major suppliers are Freescale, Analog Devices, Bosch, VTI, and Denso.

STMicroelectronics' global accelerometer revenue rose to $220 million in 2008, up from $29 million in 2007, while the company's accelerometer market share rose to 20 percent in 2008, up from 4 percent in 2006, iSuppli said.

[jayhawk73]

Funny, I worked on accelerometers in Avionics school in the Marine Corps in 1992. Was the iPhone out then? My wife's 2000 Honda Accord has an accelerometer you can hear every time you move forward - it senses motion and engages the airbag system. My 6 year old Canon point and shoot digital camera changes the LCD orientation when you move it from portrait to landscape.

All I'm saying is the iPhone may have made them more popular now, but accelerometers have been used in devices for years. Let's not try to make a catchy headline by using the iPhone name.

[NotForNuthin]

The headline says "made popular in iPhone " which is the EXACT thing you are saying.

[extotherule]

how much did they cost in those applications? and how big were they?

[maryjeannerh]

"Until now, Automotive has been the biggest application by far for accelerometers. Automotive applications accounted for 40 percent of global accelerometer revenue in 2008, down from 78 percent in 2006."
It seems that you missed the authors acknowledgment of what you are talking about. The iPhone's application of the already existing technology has made it more popular and widespread.

[slapppy]

"All I'm saying is the iPhone may have made them more popular now"

Yeah, thats why the article is spot on. Geez.

[edfaulkner]

Oops, too late... they already made a catchy headline using the iPhone name! But there's nothing wrong with that because: 1) it drew attention to a great "under the hood" technology; 2) while already used for years like you mention, it was in fact the iPhone that POPULARIZED it, which brings me to; 3) it's completely accurate in its use.

It seems this headline is surprisingly NOT sensational.

[faceless128]

i'd say the Wii did that, that's all the news talked about with the Wii Remote and it's accelerometer and motion controls bla bla bla.

[richardeholder]

I suspect the Wii had more to do to popularize this, but it is true the iPhone did this to the cell phone/pda market.

[faceless128]

I'd say the Wii made accelerometers popular.

[thelemurking]

I would agree whole heartedly... granted the iPhone has extended that, but the Wii definitely gave it that OOOO and AHHHH cool factor before the iPhone even hit the streets. To me, it's like everyone is trying to emulate Nintendo's success with that.

While it seems that even with Apple, Apple did use it in innovative ways that really bring new functionality to hand held devices... much the same way Nintendo used it to reinvent the way we play games.

[terminalblue]

this is a silly article...are these writers...sorry, bloggers....paid by views or comments?

[NotForNuthin]

Your reply is payment enough...
Thank you

[thelemurking]

I guess "Device made popular in WII catching on" wouldn't get you as many readers eh?

[mike.gw]

Brooke Crothers, give Nintendo their due. As much as I like my iPhone, I know the Wii has done more than any other single device to popularize this technology.

[mbrookec]

Nintendo Wii is mentioned. --Brooke Crothers

[Henzapper]

Well it has more to do with the title. mike.gw is saying that the title should've included the Wii instead of the iPhone, since the Wii was the one that made it popular. I have to say that I agree. As popular as the iPhone is, the Wii became a household name in 2006 and really introduced everyone to the accelerometer.

[Vavinco]

Do you all work for Nintendo or is it a paid per comment freelance gig. Let me know how I can earn money on the internet from home like you all.