27 January 2012 | Author: C. Tate

The growing Android challenge to iPad supremacy

The latest figures compiled by industry analysts show that the Apple iPad's market dominance continues for the moment - but that's set to be challenged by the growing popularity of Android-based tablets.

Strategy Analytics say that Apple sold twice as many in the last quarter of 2011 as it did in the same period in 2010.

"Global tablet shipments reached an all-time high of 26.8 million units in Q4 2011, surging 150 per cent from 10.7 million in Q4 2010. Demand for tablets among consumer, business and education users remains strong. Apple shipped a robust 15.4 million iPads worldwide and maintained its strong market leadership with 58 per cent share during the fourth quarter of 2011" said Peter King, Director of Strategy Analytics, in a company press release.

However, Androids appear to be on the march, with their share of the global market reaching 39 per cent. A variety of companies are using Google's OS as the basis for their products, such as the Amazon Kindle Fire and Acer's Iconia Tab. Although not a perfect solution, utilising an 'off-the-peg' OS, such as Android, allows companies to reduce development time.

"Dozens of Android models distributed across multiple countries by numerous brands such as Amazon, Samsung, Asus and others have been driving volumes," added Neil Mawston, Executive Director at Strategy Analytics.

"Android is so far proving relatively popular with tablet manufacturers despite nagging concerns about fragmentation of Android's operating system, user-interface and app store ecosystem."

According to the report, the combined sales of the Windows 7 tablet and the BlackBerry PlayBook accounted for fewer than one million units.

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