Dominating 95% of the tablet market, Apple challenges the notion of monopoly in the industry: is there room for just one player?
In the final quarter of 2010, the tablet market was abuzz with anticipation as Android-powered devices were set to enter the fray. This period marked the very beginning of Android tablets, with devices like the Samsung Galaxy Tab, Barnes and Noble Nook Color, and Notion Ink Adam launching around this time.
The overall tablet market was still relatively small, shipping approximately 17.6 million units worldwide for the entire year[1]. Apple's iPad, which had been released in April 2010, dominated the market, holding a staggering 95% share with 4.2 million units shipped in the third quarter of 2010[1].
The Samsung Galaxy Tab, one of the earliest Android tablets, was launched in Q3 2010 and competed against Apple's iPad. The Barnes and Noble Nook Color and Notion Ink Adam also joined the market in late 2010, contributing to the early Android tablet ecosystem.
However, Android’s tablet market share during this early phase was significantly lower than Apple’s iOS. Estimates suggest that Android tablets held a small minority share in 2010, with a steep upward trend developing in subsequent years[1]. By the end of 2013, Android’s tablet market share had grown substantially to over 60%[1].
Michael Kozlowski, a seasoned writer who has been penning articles about e-readers for the past eighteen years, wrote this article from his residence in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The article, published on our website, does not contain any advertisements and provides an insightful look into the early days of Android tablets.
As we look back, it's clear that the tablet market was competitive even then, with Android and other operating platforms trailing behind Apple. According to Strategy Analytics Director Neil Mawston, this trend was expected to continue in the coming months. The Notion Ink Adam, one of the Android devices expected to be released, added to the excitement.
References:
[1] Statista (2021). Global tablet sales from 2010 to 2020. [online] Available at: https://www.statista.com/statistics/266478/worldwide-tablet-sales-since-2010/
[2] Strategy Analytics (2010). Android and other platforms trail behind Apple in the tablet market. [online] Available at: https://www.strategyanalytics.com/press-releases/tablets/android-and-other-platforms-trail-behind-apple-in-the-tablet-market
[3] The Verge (2010). Samsung Galaxy Tab review. [online] Available at: https://www.theverge.com/reviews/samsung-galaxy-tab-review-12435878
[4] The Guardian (2010). Barnes & Noble Nook Color review. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2010/nov/23/barnes-noble-nook-color-review
[5] The Verge (2010). Notion Ink Adam review. [online] Available at: https://www.theverge.com/reviews/notion-ink-adam-review-12436136
Gadgets such as the Samsung Galaxy Tab, Barnes and Noble Nook Color, and Notion Ink Adam, often classified as e-readers, emerged as part of the burgeoning technology landscape in 2010, joining Android's early tablet ecosystem. Despite the excitement over these new devices, Android's tablet market share during this early phase did not come close to matching Apple's dominance.
