Today, IDC released its latest projection for tablet shipments this year breaking out a positive news for Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) that its tablet market is surpassing all projections as the iPad and iPad Mini continues to excite consumers.
IDC, the rearch and analysis firm, believes that a total of 122.3 million tablets are likely to ship this year, with 53.8 percent of iPad models in them.
“Tablets continue to captivate consumers, and as the market shifts toward smaller, more mobile screen sizes and lower price points, we expect demand to accelerate in the fourth quarter and beyond,” Tom Mainelli, research director for tablets at ID
Android tablets, however, according to IDC’s projection, are expected to gain momentum in its market position with its share likely to rise from 39.8% in 2011 to 42.7% in 2012. IDC’s projection indicates a likelihood of a downward trend in Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s market share from 56.3% to 53.8%
IDC’s research reveals that the reason behind Android devices gaining a traction in the market can most likely be the low cost availability in the emerging market.
“The breadth and depth of Android has taken full effect on the tablet market, as it has for the smartphone space,” said Ryan Reith, program manager for IDC’s Mobile Device Trackers. “Android tablet shipments will certainly act as the catalyst for growth in the low-cost segment in emerging markets, given the platform’s low barrier to entry on manufacturing.”
IDC believes that Windows 8 and Microsoft Surface, despite of their recent launches, still appear to account for just 2.9 percent of tablets shipments in 2012. However, IDC projected Windows tablets to rise from 2.9% in 2012 to 10.2% of the market in the year 2016.
Despite IDC’s projection about Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) to command less than half the market, with 49.7 percent, analysts still see Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s iPad as the dominant tablet of all time.
