Cowon

Cowon Systems, Inc.
코원시스템
Company typePublic
KOSDAQ: 056000[1]
IndustryConsumer electronics
Computer software
Online services
Cell phone accessories
FoundedApril 1995[1]
FounderPark Namkyu
Jung Jaewook
HeadquartersSeoul, South Korea[1]
Area served
South Korea, United States, Japan, India
Key people
Park Namkyu (president)[1]
Products
MP3 players
PMP
  • Cowon G7 (Korea only)
  • T5 (Korea only)
  • A5 Plenue
  • R7 (Korea only)
  • V5S (Korea only)
  • 3D (Korea only)
  • V5W (Korea only)
  • V5
  • O2 (Korea only; discontinued in the West)
  • P5 Study (Korea only)
  • P5 (Korea only; discontinued in the West)
Software
Other products
  • Q7 Plenue
  • AD1 (Korea only)
  • AC1
  • W2
  • L3
  • N3 (Korea only)
Services
Services list
  • Cowon Contents
  • Cowon Mobile
  • Cowon Shop
  • JetToy
RevenueKRW 121.2 billion (2010)[2]
KRW 9.1 billion (2010)[2]
KRW 7.4 billion (2010)[2]
Total assetsKRW 72.4 billion (2010)[2]
Number of employees
193[1]
SubsidiariesJetAudio, Inc.
LIAAIL idea & art
WebsiteCOWONGLOBAL.com
www.jetaudio.com
eng.liaail.com
Cowon
Hangul
코원시스템
Revised RomanizationKowon Siseutem
McCune–ReischauerK'owŏn Sisŭt'em

Cowon Systems, Inc. (simply known as Cowon) is a South Korean consumer electronics and software corporation. The company’s initial focus was software development and microelectronics, specializing in speech synthesis and speech recognition technology.[3] In 2000, with the introduction of the iAUDIO CW100, Cowon expanded into the portable media player industry, which is now the core of their business.[3]

In 2010, Cowon was ranked number one in the PMP category of Japanese Management Association Consultants’ Global Customer Satisfaction Competency Index, and in 2011, it was ranked number one in the same organization’s Global & Great Brand Competency Index.[4][5]

In the west, Cowon is most well known for its iAUDIO range of portable media players, which has resulted in many people incorrectly referring to the company as “Cowon iAUDIO” or simply “iAUDIO.” Outside the domestic market, Cowon iAUDIO's sales and market share have always been minuscule - however, it gained a certain niche market and retains a loyal following from fans and enthusiasts.[6][7]

  1. ^ a b c d e "COWON SYSTEMS, Inc". Retrieved 28 October 2016.
  2. ^ a b c d "COWON SYSTEMS, Inc". Retrieved 28 October 2016.
  3. ^ a b "COWON SYSTEMS, Inc". Retrieved 28 October 2016.
  4. ^ "COWON SYSTEMS, Inc". Retrieved 28 October 2016.
  5. ^ "COWON SYSTEMS, Inc". Retrieved 28 October 2016.
  6. ^ "Mobile-review.com MP3-players – Global markets". mobile-review.com. Archived from the original on 25 November 2006. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  7. ^ "Cowon iAudio 9 first impressions".