Samsung edges out Apple as leader in the "smart connected device" market
In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, the way we use tablets in the workplace is changing, driven by the adoption of 7-inch mini tablets, the emergence of 4G and cellular data bundles, and the diversification of form factors.
According to the International Data Corporation (IDC), the category that encompasses PCs, laptops, tablets, and smartphones is collectively known as "smart connected devices". In 2012, laptop or 'portable PC' shipments shrank by 3%, while the fastest growing category was tablets, with unit shipments shooting up 78%.
While specific projected tablet adoption rates in Western Europe for the next four years are not readily available, strong growth trends in related technology markets offer some insight. For instance, the Surface Haptics Technology Market, which includes tablets, is expected to expand swiftly from $5.01 billion in 2024 to $9.75 billion by 2029, reflecting a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of approximately 14.2%.
Similarly, the Gesture Recognition Market for Portable PCs, which includes tablets, is projected to grow rapidly from $10.04 billion in 2024 to $30.87 billion by 2029, at a CAGR of around 25%. These growth figures suggest increased adoption of advanced interfaces on mobile and portable devices, such as tablets.
Forrester Research predicts that the percentage of adults in Western Europe owning a tablet will grow significantly over the next four years. Specifically, tablet adoption in Western Europe is expected to grow 10-fold from 14% in 2012 to 55% in 2017.
Thomas Husson, a Forrester analyst, states that tablets are primarily used for media consumption in the home at present. However, he predicts a change in tablet usage patterns, with diversification beyond home browsing, in the near future. For tablets to be used frequently on the go, operators would need to offer more affordable cellular data packages bundled with Wi-Fi usage.
Despite the lack of specific data on the shipments or sales of tablets, a total of 1.2 billion "smart connected devices" were shipped in 2012, marking a nearly 30% increase compared to 2011. Samsung became the world's leading manufacturer of "smart connected devices" in 2012, according to IDC.
In terms of market share, Apple's share grew from 16.3% in 2011 to 18.2% in 2012, while Samsung's share grew from 12.3% in 2011 to 20.8% in 2012. Chinese manufacturer Lenovo was third by market share (6.5%), followed by Hewlett-Packard (4.8%) and Dell (3.2%).
However, the report does not mention any specific growth in market share for any particular manufacturer in relation to tablets. It also focuses on tablet adoption trends in Western Europe and does not provide data on global tablet market trends.
In conclusion, while precise forecasts on tablet adoption rates in Western Europe are not directly available, the strong growth trends in related technology markets imply an increase in tablet adoption in Western Europe over the next four years. For a more detailed analysis, specialized market research reports focused exclusively on tablets or consumer device penetration in Western Europe would be necessary.
Gadgets like smartphones and tablets, due to their continuous evolution and wide market expansion, are often categorized together as "smart connected devices." As predicted by Forrester Research, the adoption of tablets in Western Europe is expected to surge significantly, with tablet ownership growing 10-fold from 14% in 2012 to 55% in 2017. Moreover, the Gesture Recognition Market for portable devices, which includes tablets and smartphones, is projected to expand rapidly in the coming years, implying an increase in the use of advanced technology integrations on these devices.
