More and more users are getting a tablet, whether it’s the Apple iPad or some Android-based one (or perhaps the BlackBerry PlayBook). According to Yankee Group, tablets in use in the U.S. will climb from 25 million in 2011 to more than 134 million in 2015, with sales eventually eclipsing those of PCs.
Apple is leading the way, with iPads representing 51% of all tablets owned in the U.S., leaving all other makers battling for less than half the overall market. Still, almost 25% of respondents who intend to buy a tablet in the next six months say they don’t know what brand they will purchase, presenting a big opportunity for other manufacturers.
Amazon’s Kindle Fire has cooled with consumers. Those who planned to buy a Kindle Fire in 2011 now own one, bumping ownership up to 7%. However, today’s intent to buy has dropped off, falling from 11% last year to just 6% today.
Samsung is in similar situation with more than 10% of consumers owning a tablet made by the Korean company and 8% intending to buy one in the next six months. This year’s figures have fallen to 7 and 4 percent, respectively.
As for smaller manufacturers, they face an even grimmer outlook — fewer than 4% of consumers currently own a BlackBerry PlayBook or Motorola- or Dell-branded tablet, and just 2% say they own an Asus tablet. On the other hand, I would guess Asus may easily grow its market share thanks to its awesome Transformer Pad series. We’ll see…
[Via: CellularNews]