According to research firm Canalys, the global tablet shipments are expected to increase from 285 million units in 2014 to 396 million units in 2017.
The research firm states that Microsoft is expected to witness encouraging sales of tablets. Following the acquisition of Nokia in a $7.2 billion deal in 2013, Microsoft is in a strong position to increase its market share in the tablet segment from two per cent to five per cent. Canalys suggests that to further strengthen its position in the devices segment, Microsoft must drive application development and better utilise its existing assets to fully develop its mobile device ecosystem. A critical first step is to address the coexistence of Windows Phone and Windows RT. Three different operating systems in Microsoft?s portfolio for addressing the smart device landscape is creating ambiguity amongst developers as well as consumers.
The research firm expects Apple to strengthen its position in the tablet market in the fourth quarter of 2013 following the launch of the iPad Air and new iPad mini. For Apple, remaining highly profitable and driving revenue from its entire ecosystem would be more critical than focusing on maintaining its market share.
Canalys forecasts that the current market leader Samsung will continue to dominate the tablet segment. However, it will face high competition from small-to-micro brand vendors in established and high-growth markets and international players such as Acer, Asus, Lenovo, and HP.
