Tablet sales are forecast to keep on growing and even accelerate within the next 5 years.22% of all UK adults own a tablet device26% of all UK households own a tablet19% of the UK population are interested in tablet ownershipSources:Google/YouGov – Tablet Searches, Q2 2013The Yankee Group, May 2013 - http://www.forbes.com/sites/chuckjones/2013/05/02/tablet-market-forecast-to-grow-almost-5x-by-2017/Mintel - Desktop and Laptop Computers - UK - August 2013
‘Android is now making steady progress due to hardware partners like Samsung, Amazon, Google and White-Box tablets.’ - Peter King, Director of Tablets at Strategy AnalyticsApple launches produce a halo effect for sales of other brands.Source:http://www.forbes.com/sites/chuckjones/2013/07/31/apple-losing-tablet-market-share-but-still-dominates-north-america-usage/
With TuGo, users can link up to five devices to their phone, enabling them to call, send SMS messages and pick up voicemail from their connected tablet or PC.http://www.o2.co.uk/tugo/want-it
Enhancing other media.43% of tablet owners say that they watch more TV now than they did five years ago.83% say they use tablets alongside TV.Source:http://techcrunch.com/2013/03/26/bbc-study-confirms-tablets-growing-role-in-tv-consumption-but-also-that-tv-remains-supreme/
Cheaper devices, such as Tesco’s Hudl (RRP £199.99), will see the tablet industry grow before consumers consider upgrading to a more high-end product such as the iPad.Source:http://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=prUS24129713
As a wider array of consumers adopt tablets and more retailers embrace the platform’s opportunities, tablet commerce is set to take off.The appeal lies in:Bigger screenMore leaned-back experienceEasier touch browsing than traditional e-commerceAggregation apps that allow shoppers to scan multiple catalogues simultaneouslyIn 2012 Forrester discovered that around half of the merchants they surveyed reported higher average orders from tablets than PCs or smartphones.Source:JWT: 100 Things to Watch in 2013
35% of UK adults considering buying a Tablet in the next year would want to use 4G on it.Source:CCS insight Mar13
The launch of Microsoft’s Touch Cover (or “blade”) for Surface is setting the precedent for tech companies to get more adventurous with tablet accessories.Future ideas include solar blades that charge the device, credit card readers and covers that can charge smartphones.As more sensors are included, the extension is set to become fully customisable.Source:http://www.theverge.com/2013/9/24/4765048/can-microsofts-futuristic-blade-accessories-give-the-surface-the-edge
You can replace PC functions on a tablet more readily than you can with a smartphone.PC shipments are falling by 11.4% year-on-year.Traditional PC shipments peaked in 2011, when 363 million shipped. This year could mark an important turning point, as tablets outsell portable (laptop) PCs for the first time. By 2015, IDC thinks that tablet shipments will surpass PCs completely.37% use their desktop computer less.Sources:http://techcrunch.com/2013/03/26/bbc-study-confirms-tablets-growing-role-in-tv-consumption-but-also-that-tv-remains-supreme/http://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=prUS24129913
When comparing the sales of smartphones and tablets it is key to remember the maturity of the respective markets: smartphones are owned by the vast majority of consumers now, whereas tablets are still growing.59% of tablet owners share their device – it’s not the personal object that a mobile phone is.They also serve different functions - the smartphone is for finding information quickly and effectively, especially on-the-go, whereas tablets are a more 'lean back' device, allowing consumers to peruse information at ease. Therefore, both will continue to play important roles in consumer lives.
