Worldwide media tablet shipments is expected to reach 222.1 million units by 2016,led by stronger demand for the devices, according to a report from International Data Corporation (IDC).
IDC report has also revealed that during the second half of 2012 media tablet shipment to reach 107.4 million units for the year, up from its previous forecast of 106.1 million units.
For 2013, IDC has revised its figures upward from 137.4 million units to 142.8 million units.
IDC Mobile Connected Devices research director Tom Mainelli said demand for media tablets remains robust, and we see an increasing interest in the category from the commercial side.
"We expect pending new products from major players, increasingly affordable mainstream devices, and a huge marketing blitz from Microsoft around Windows 8 to drive increased consumer interest in the category through the end of the year," he added.
"After a very strong launch of new products in March, Apple’s iPad shows few signs of slowing down."
IDC expects iOS to see a growth in its market share in 2012 to 62.5%, up from 58.2% in 2011 while Android’s share will drop from 38.7% in 2011 to 36.5% in 2012 and Blackberry will decline from 1.7% to 1%.
"The addition of the Retina Display and 4G capabilities to the third-generation products clearly enticed many current owners to upgrade. And Apple’s decision to keep two iPad 2s in the market at lower prices — moving the entry-level price down to $399 — seems to be paying off as well," Mainelli added.
"If Apple launches a sub-$300, 7-inch product into the market later this year as rumored, we expect the company’s grip on this market to become even stronger."
IDC is looking to add the Windows-based tablets into its tablet forecast in order to give customers a complete view of tablet slates in one place.
"Our current thinking, based upon early pricing expectations for these products, is that Windows-based tablets will be largely additive to our existing media tablet market forecast."
"We don’t expect Windows-based tablets to necessarily take share from Apple and Android, but will grow the overall tablet market," Mainelli commented.
