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Friday, August 9, 2013

Tablet Makers Catching Up with Apple?

A new report from the Independent Data Corp. (IDC) found that the market share for the Apple iPad was off significantly in the second quarter of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012. Apple shipped 14.6 million fewer units during the quarter and its market share dipped nearly 30%, to 32.4%.

While Apple continued as the No. 1 manufacturer of tablets worldwide, the IDC report found the competition catching up. Samsung doubled its market share with a 277% increase in shipments in the second quarter of 2013, while Asus had a 120% increase in unit shipments, and Lenovo saw a 314% increase.

The IDC report also said the lack of a new iPad model was to blame for the Apple sales figures, adding that the market for all tablets slipped 9.7% in the second quarter of 2013.

“A new iPad launch always piques consumer interest in the tablet category and traditionally that has helped both Apple and its competitors,” said Tom Mainelli, research director for tablets at IDC. “With no new iPads, the market slowed for many vendors, and that’s likely to continue into the third quarter. However, by the fourth quarter, we expect new products from Apple, Amazon, and others to drive impressive growth in the market.”

But Eric Zeman points out in his Information Week column that Apple really never had anywhere to go but down as more competition ramped up tablet production. And despite the impressive figures, only Samsung has a double-digit share of the market at 18%, while Asus owns a 4.5% share and Lenovo comes in at just 3.3%.

“The quarterly sales numbers will always fluctuate on annual cycles, as well as traditional shopping seasons,” Zeman wrote. “Apple might have written off its second- (and maybe even third-) quarter stats by changing its iPad upgrade cycle, but Apple is primed to have a huge year-end between September and December.”