14 DAY TRIAL // According to data from the IHS iSuppli Display Materials & Systems Service (from information and analysis provider IHS), Apple Inc. is set to increase its iPad shipments at a faster rate than previously expected, causing the global media tablet market to exceed growth expectations during the next few years
iSuppli says that the company formerly run by Steve Jobs is currently capitalizing on its shrewd strategy, as well as on its competitors’ stumbles.
Data from the IHS iSuppli Display Materials & Systems Service shows that global media tablet shipments now are expected to rise to 60 million units in 2011.
This is up 245.9 percent from 17.4 million in 2010. Previously, analysts estimated shipments of 58.9 million for 2011.
“The new figures will help propel media tablet shipments to 275.3 million units in 2015, compared to the previous forecast of 262.1 million,” said iSuppli.
“All the momentum in the media tablet market is with Apple right now,” said Rhoda Alexander, senior manager, tablet and monitor research for IHS.
“The competition can’t seem to field a product with the right combination of hardware, marketing, applications and content to match up with the iPad.”
“Furthermore, Apple’s patent litigation is serving to slow or complicate competitors’ entry into some key regional markets. With Apple lapping its competitors, many of whom are still struggling to get out of the starting gate, this remains a one-horse race,” said Alexander.
Looking years ahead, iSuppli sees Apple greatly benefiting from its diversified market strategy that pitches the tablet to the regular consumer, but also to educational staff and corporate segments alike.
iSuppli believes this simple yet well-thought strategy will help the Cupertino giant to “mitigate the impact of seasonal sales swings in the consumer market.”
Also working in Apple’s favor is the recent expansion in China where iPad sales will also go through the roof during the Lunar New Year holiday season, according to the market intelligence firm.
“With the first quarter normally a slow sales season outside of Asia, the China sales will serve to smooth out the normal first-quarter sales dip suffered by electronics makers following the Christmas selling season in the West,” iSuppli analysts believe.