Android tablets to challenge iPad dominance

With so many Android tablets coming to market, iPad will have its market share eaten into, an analyst firm has predicted.

In 2011, the Google OS will have a market share of 15.2 per cent and this will grow to 28.4 per cent in 2015, IMS Research claimed.

By mid-2011, more than 15 suppliers will be selling Android-based tablets, which will inevitably help the OS gain market share, but the way in which the devices will be sold will also make an impact, the firm said.

"The availability of Samsung's Galaxy Tab tablet via mobile carriers will quickly boost Google Android's presence in the tablet market," explained Anna Hunt, principal analyst at IMS Research.

Other operating systems will begin to make an impact by next year as well, according to IMS Research, as 7.8 per cent of tablets shipping in the world will run something other than an Apple OS, Android or Windows.

In particular, RIM and HP proprietary operating systems look set to make a splash.

"RIM and HP are making a bold play by employing a proprietary OS for their upcoming tablet products," Hunt said.

"This will definitely further differentiate their models from the plethora of Android tablets, but will they have a sufficiently compelling content offering and user experience to entice consumers?"

Earlier this month, Gartner figures showed more Android-based smartphones had been shipped in the third quarter than iOS, although Apple sold plenty of iPhones and had a "stellar" period.