IDC Releases 2014 Global Trends and Predictions for Tablets
IDC Releases 2014 Global Trends and Predictions for Tablets by UCStrategies Staff
A new report from research firm International Data Corporation (IDC) shows that in 2014, the global market share of Windows tablets will increase slightly, while those of Android and iOS tablets will begin to decline.
IDC predicts that the global market share of Android will slide from 60.8 percent in 2013 to 60.7 percent this year. Similarly, iOS is expected to show a market share decline from 35 percent in 2013 to 33.1 percent in 2014. Windows, on the other hand, is estimated to grow its tablet market share base from 3.2 percent last year to 5.7 percent this year. IDC’s long-term forecast sees a growth of 10.2 percent for Windows tablet market share in 2017, while a decline of 58.8 percent and 30.6 percent is expected for Android and iOS, respectively.
According to the new IDC report, the overall tablet market is expected to grow to 270 million tablet shipments in 2014, compared to the 221 million tablets in 2013. In addition, the IDC report also indicates that by 2017, the joint market sectors of education and large business will grow from 12 percent of the overall tablets shipped in 2013 to 21.7 percent.
In an email to Computerworld’s Matt Hamblen, IDC analyst Tom Mainelli said that tablets now have more capabilities and enjoy growing acceptance in business settings. The use of Windows in traditional PCs for business will be switched to Windows tablets.
In a research note released in early January 2014, IDC said that this year, the popularity of tablets measuring less than eight inches will wane, tablet shipments to education and large business market segments will increase, and more and more tablets will come with 3G and 4G cellular network connections rather than just traditional Wi-Fi-enabled connections.
Continued decline is expected for Windows RT, whose market share is already less than one percent. “Consumers don't know what to make of Windows RT-based tablets,” IDC said. “All of Microsoft's partners have abandoned the platform; only Microsoft's Surface and Surface 2 and Nokia's 2520 remain.”
In 2013, 27.5 percent of tablets had 3G/4G cellular connections. By 2017, IDC estimates that number to reach 34.7 percent. (KOM) Link.