Apple iPad pips rival Android tabs in global shipments during first quarter of 2012

Washington, May 4 (ANI): Apple's iPad has pipped its Android-powered tablet computer rivals in global market shipments in the first quarter of 2012, a latest survey has revealed.

According to the survey by IDC, Apple shipped over 11.8 million iPads during the first quarter, down from 15.4 million units in the fourth quarter of 2011, as its worldwide share rose to 68% from 54.7%.

"Apple's move to position the iPad as an all-purpose tablet, instead of just a content consumption device, is resonating with consumers as well as educational and commercial buyers. And its decision to keep a lower-priced iPad 2 in the market after it launched the new iPad in March seems to be paying off as well," News24 quoted Tom Mainelli of IDC, as saying.

The figures showed that the impact of Microsoft Windows 8- and Windows RT-based tablets, which are widely expected to ship into the market by the fourth quarter, is not yet clear.

"While Apple will continue to sit comfortably on the top for now, the battle for the next several positions is going to be fierce. Throw in Ultrabooks, the launch of Windows 8, and a few surprise product launches, and you have all the makings of an incredible 2012 holiday shopping season," he added. (ANI)