The media tablet shipments in the Asia/Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ) region is estimated to grow from 1.3 million units in 2009 to 9.6 million units in 2014, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 65%, according to market research and analysis firm IDC.
The market observer said that media tablet sales in the near term will be led by the developed markets of Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore, while China and Korea will be major opportunities towards the end of the forecast period.
IDC defines media tablets as tablet form factor devices with 7-12inches colour displays, harnessing ARM-based processors and running lightweight operating systems such as Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android OS.
The firm said that despite the early promise of the category, significant challenges remain. Hardware makers appear uncertain about the choice between x86- and ARM-based platforms. The myriad of operating systems touted for the category, which includes from Android, Chrome, MeeGo and WebOS, will also further serve to fragment and impede the development of the market.
Bryan Ma, associate vice president of Asia/Pacific devices and peripherals research at IDC, said: "Media tablets are expected to occupy a space between smartphones and portable PCs without replacing either. They will complement PCs as media consumption devices, while allowing seamless sharing of content with mobile phones. Currently marketed as multifunction entertainment devices, the success of media tablets will hinge critically on the availability of local applications and content,
"IDC remains cautiously optimistic about the longer term potential of the media tablet segment. In Asia in particular, the iPad is likely to spark off intense competition from Asian brands, leading to a wealth of offerings in varying price tiers. With operators migrating towards 4G networks in the coming years, media tablets will further become a strategic vehicle for increased mobile data usage. There are certainly roadblocks, but the media tablet appears here to stay."
