THE TABLET MARKET has picked up speed this year due to the proliferation of devices, new business models supported by wireless operators, and new usage models through cloud computing and mobile applications.
As the last half of 2011 rolls around, In-Stat forecasts more growth opportunities as a result of price degradation, and new tablets from major consumer electronics companies – like Samsung, Motorola, BlackBerry, LG, and HTC – which will help push tablet shipments toward 250 million units in 2017.
Chief technology strategist Jim McGregor said that tablets have officially joined the array of smart-connected devices that allow users almost unlimited access to content and communications.
“The tablet market and its associated ecosystem are still evolving”, said McGregor in the report’s news release. “Over the next few generations we will see more differentiation between devices that are targeting different market segments and usage models. In addition, competitive device and service pricing will bring tablets into the mainstream consumer and enterprise markets. These new devices mark a significant change in the value change of the electronics industry where the content and applications are now the key differentiators and innovation drivers.”
According to the report The Reality and Ramifications of Tablets:
– In the consumer segment, tablets are competing against all CE and computing devices, not just PCs;
– Despite similarities in system hardware and software architecture, usage models among mobile devices vary by device type;
– The combination of mobile applications, new semiconductor technology, and the full Internet experience are key factors in empowering the tablet market;
– The 9-inch to 11-inch form factor is forecasted to be the dominant tablet form factor with 56% of the market in 2017;
– iOS and Android are forecast to maintain over 90% of the market share with Windows as a distant third;
– Not supporting one of the leading OS platforms is likely to lead to the failure of several companies in the tablet market due to lack of application support; and
– Wireless operator business models could have a tremendous impact on future tablet demand.
