The markets for consumer electronics will depend on which type of operating system, if any, powers the machine. There are open source marketing opportunities for consumer electronics that use the Linux operating system and registered markets for the Microsoft enhanced systems. Every electronic device sold on the market today encompasses some type of semi conductor, and the markets for this one component in consumer electronics extend around the globe.

Some consumer electronics require software applications to achieve a usability status. Without that software, customers could be inclined to buy other consumer electronics that serve that particular need. The markets for software applications are limitless because consumer electronics are constantly changing. Developers create new software applications all the time. Some software programming packages are reduced in size to accommodate the market for smaller sized products that provide the same service.

The need for programming changes occurs in all operating systems incorporated into electronic devices such as cellular telephones, personal digital assistants, and music players. As the marketing of these products extends worldwide, many consumer electronics require changes to accommodate communication markets. Most of these electronic devices will require updates in software, which will require programmers to adjust to markets that demand dual compatibility to make those updates occur. An MP3 player will prove ineffective if the application software was not compatible with the operating system software installed on the home computer system.

Many manufacturers for consumer electronics have negotiated contracts with various marketers to produce an electronic device. Since many components and materials are used in this process, the marketing will be tiered to cover many levels. The basic consumer electronics that people purchased years ago may now be obsolete due to the upgrades and changes that have occurred in the dual compatibility markets. Some consumers are hesitant to invest in consumer electronics because of the rapid changes that are occurring in the consumer electronics market.

After purchasing a cellular telephone, a cell customer would expect to use the consumer electronics product for several years, but this fact is rapidly changing due to marketing strategies by cellular telephone providers and product manufacturers. Some cellular telephones will no longer connect to the service provider's network because it is equipped with an outdated network port or adapter. This need creates yet another market for consumers to pursue because the options for use will force the consumer to purchase another product or purchase another type of adapter and the software application that manages it.

Use of other consumer electronics products, such as televisions, is being blocked by technological changes from analog to digital transmissions by the cable service companies. The customer-marketing base between satellite service and cable television service is very competitive and many consumers have opted out of using either type of television viewing service due to cost. Some consumers rely on analog transmissions to view the daily news or hear public televised broadcasts. With these changes to consumer electronics services, consumers are forced to pick one television viewing market or the other.