Apple has dominated the tablet market since its introduction of the iPad. But according to Strategy Analytics, iOS slipped to 57 percent global market share in the 3rd quarter (Q3) of 2012, down from 64 percent a year ago, fuelled by “disappointing” shipments of 14 million iPads. Android now has 41 percent market share, although that is divided between dozens of vendors. Global tablet shipments grew just 43 percent annually in Q3 2012, compared with 289 percent annually in Q2 2011. This was the weakest growth rate since the modern tablet industry began in Q2 2010. Microsoft captured just two percent global tablet share in Q3 2012. However, the release of the new Windows 8 operating system will likely drive Microsoft tablet volumes higher during the Q4 2012 holiday season.
