It was revealed recently, to no real surprise, that the popularity of Apple’s iPad tablet PC has sky rocketed since it’s launch in April of this year to take a 95 percent stranglehold over the tablet PC market.
Overall the market interest in tablet PCs seems to be undeniably on the increase, recent reports suggesting that shipments of tablet related products rose by 26 percent in the third quarter of this year compared to the previous quarter.
The main reason for the iPad’s dominance has to really come down to a lack of viable competition; like the company’s release of the iPod in late 2001, which today sees other industries bending over backwards to utilise the AAC audio format used by the devices, very few other products have become available to consumers as a rival to Apple’s multimedia tool.
Recently, Dutch company Ambiance technology launched their own 3G tablet, a move that hailed a congratulatory phone call from Microsoft bosses because the product, dubbed the AT Tablet, is the first 3G tablet PC to support Windows 7 Home premium software. With specifications that include 3G mobile broadband connectivity, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ports for USB, card reader, mini-VGA and LAN, an impressive 160 GB hard drive and, unlike the iPad a camera, albeit only 1.3 mega pixels. The Dutch outfit believes that allowing customers to enjoy the same Windows software they use on their home computers with the freedom of the portable tablet should appeal more than having to get to grips Android based alternatives. Samsung’s own Galaxy tab , released recently with the Android 2.2 operating system has been widely received with average to good reviews.
Whether or not the AT or the Galaxy tab can topple Apple’s newest flagship product remains to be seen. More of a reason for the iPad to be looking over its shoulder is not however specific rivals in the market place but the sheer volume of Android based products that are to be unveiled in the near future. Although according to research currently Android systems share a lowly 2 percent of the tablet PC market, with new releases planned by the likes of Hewlett-Packard, ViewSonic and Research in Motion the selling ground for these portable devices could become considerably more competitive. With the overall sale of tablet PCs predicted to rise to over 54 million in 2011 and Christmas just around the corner it will be down to consumers themselves to speak with their hard earned cash, whether or not the iPad’s market dominance can be challenged.