Android Tablets Grab 20 Percent of Market Share

12.08.2011
Android media tablets are slowly grabbing market share from the iPad, but no single competitor has yet to mount a formidable challenge to Apple's industry-leading slate.

Makers of Android-based and other media tablets have collectively taken 20 percent of the market from the iPad in the past 12 months, according to ’s new “Media Tablets” study.

The report, however, confirms what is readily apparent to tech industry observers: No tablet maker has been able to build the mythical "iPad killer," a slate so compelling that it cuts sharply into Apple's market dominance.

So what's the problem? Fragmentation within operating system software--particularly Google's Android OS--is hampering growth, says ABI Research analyst Jeff Orr.

Android current has "no less than three" software builds for tablets. That's bad news for app developers, who may delay development of an Android app if the market potential isn't there.

There's no shortage of iPad competitors, however.