14 DAY TRIAL // After reigning for three years straight, Apple’s iPad business may finally see its share decimated at the hand of an upcoming hoard of Android-based tablets, says ABI Research.
Samsung and other electronics vendors “continue to erode [Apple’s] early success,” as 60% of last year’s tablet shipments were iOS-powered, while 37% represented Android devices,” ABI Research reports.
According to the company’s mobile devices Senior Practice Director Jeff Orr, “The tide is definitely turning toward Android-based tablets, though Apple will not slouch as it feels the competition approaching.”
The analyst regards Apple’s diminutive tablet computer, the iPad mini, as “a timely introduction in 2012,” but the research firm “remains cautious about the bottom line impact this is having for Apple.”
ABI has its eye on the first quarter of 2013, which it believes “should be the first time where production was able to meet market demand and a better sense of how much 9.7” iPad volume has switched to the smaller, lower-cost mini will be understood.”