Although Apple has gained ground over Android-based tablets in recent quarters, the market research firm IDC Research believes that the iPad’s share of the market will slide in the December quarter due to gains from the low end tablets from Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
It was estimated that the iPad held on to a 61.5% worldwide market share in the third quarter and that number is expected to dip below the 60% mark in the upcoming quarter. According to IDC, HP jumped up to second place in the tablet market in the third quarter, capturing a quick 5% share. Its presence was short-lived though since the PC maker cleared out inventory after deciding to cancel the device just a few months after its release. Samsung came in third with a 5.6% share of the tablet market, the Barnes & Noble’s Nook Color tablet took the fourth spot with a 4.5%, and Asus came in fifth with a 4% share.
The Android operating system noticed a dip in total market share in the third quarter, down to 32.4% from 33.2% in the second quarter, but IDC sees the Kindle Fire sales driving the platform past the 40% mark in the December quarter. According to IDC’s Research Director of Mobile Connected Devices, Tom Mainelli; “Amazon and Barnes & Noble are shaking up the media tablet market, and their success helps prove that there is an appetite for media tablets beyond Apple’s iPad.”
Analysts have begun revising their iPad estimates on the assumption that Apple’s tablet growth will be impacted by the Kindle Fire. It was recently revealed by Amazon that the company had sold millions of Kindle Fires, which has been the online retailer’s best-selling product for weeks now. Mainelli does believe however, that Apple is still set to have its best quarter ever during the period. He also believes that Apple will also make gains with its iPad in the enterprise and education markets in 2012 as well.
Apple’s head start on the tablet-specific apps, future iPad versions, and an expanding retail presence will probably help the company maintain its “global leadership” but it is likely that Android tablets will gain on its competitor in the near future. According to IDC analyst Jennifer Song "an improving Android OS experience and lower competitor pricing in an environment with worldwide economic concerns should help Android to increase its market share.”
So how exactly do you feel about this? Were you one of the many who bought a Kindle Fire or Barnes & Noble Nook? Do you see Android gaining an increased market share? Share your thoughts and opinions below!
Source: Electronista
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