Research by sector specialist IDC suggested that the launch of Apple's iPad will spur a jump in demand in the media tablet market and lead to annual worldwide shipments reaching 7.6 million units by the end of the year.
In addition, the study forecast that the sector will experience a compound annual growth rate of 57.4 per cent and will see more than 46 million units tablets shipped in 2014.
Susan Kevorkian, programme director of digital marketplace for mobile media and entertainment at IDC, commented: 'These are early days for media tablets, an altogether new device category that takes its place between smartphones and portable PCs.'
She added that as more applications are developed for use on media tablets, they will increasingly become seen as essential devices for many consumers.
This week, IT analyst Garner claimed that the western Europe PC market saw 18.1 million units shipped in the first quarter of 2010, growing by 19.4 per cent on the opening three months of 2009.
In addition, the study forecast that the sector will experience a compound annual growth rate of 57.4 per cent and will see more than 46 million units tablets shipped in 2014.
Susan Kevorkian, programme director of digital marketplace for mobile media and entertainment at IDC, commented: 'These are early days for media tablets, an altogether new device category that takes its place between smartphones and portable PCs.'
She added that as more applications are developed for use on media tablets, they will increasingly become seen as essential devices for many consumers.
This week, IT analyst Garner claimed that the western Europe PC market saw 18.1 million units shipped in the first quarter of 2010, growing by 19.4 per cent on the opening three months of 2009.
