Android domination in world tablet market growing
AFP News agency
The Google Android platform extended its dominance over Apple in the tablet market in early 2014. Android grabbed 65.8% of global tablet sales in the first quarter, up from 53% a year ago. Global tablet sales across all brands during the quarter were up 19% at 57.6 million units.
Apple meanwhile saw iPad sales slump and its market share tumble to 28.4% from 40.3% a year earlier. While Apple ignited the tablet market initially with its first iPads, Apple has now lost its dominance to Android in the same manner as the iPhone has seen its market share eroded in the smartphone market.
A survey also found a steady market share for tablets using Microsoft Windows. Windows tablet sales rose to 3.4 million from 2.8 million a year earlier, keeping a steady market share of 5.8%. This follows Microsoft’s decision to offer Windows for free for sub nine-inch devices. There may soon be a new batch of eight-inch Windows-based tablets with reduced prices; they will still not be as inexpensive as Android, but it will enable them to be more competitive and appealing to a wider audience but a dearth of apps continues to be a problem for Microsoft.