Apple iPad Market Share Dominates Second Quarter

iPad Market Share

It appears that the market share for the iPad of Apple is bigger compared to the combined share of all of rivals in the market. According to HIS iSuppli, the iPad market share is around 70 percent for the second quarter while its closest rival, the Samsung Galaxy Tab only has 9.2 percent of the entire tablet market.

The data released by the research company showed that 17 million units of the iPad of Apple for the second quarter compared to 2.3 million units shipped for the Samsung Galaxy Tab. The third and the fourth slots were taken by Amazon and Asus respectively. Amazon garnered only 4.2 percent of the tablet market while 2.8 percent went to Asus. This means the iPad market share is over two times bigger compared to its competitors.

According to Rhoda Alexander, the tablet and monitor research director of the company, the iPad market share gives indications that the company has made all the suitable moves to dominate the market.  The iPad market share may be further increased with reports on the upcoming release of the iPad Mini.

Reports on the upcoming release of the seven-inch model of the iPad will allow the company to the iPad market share to expand to the market for smaller-sized tablets.

Even as Microsoft and Google are set to challenge the dominance of Apple in the tablet market, industry watchers are expecting the company to maintain its share of the market. In fact another research company has indicated that the iPad market share will be over sixty percent for the year, which is an increase from its share from last year.

Users of the older models of the iPad have also been tempted to upgrade to the current models of the device due to the inclusion of the Retina screen display and 4G LTE network support for the current model of the device. This has allowed the iPad market share to be maintained by the company.

The iPad market share has made up most of the 24.4 million units delivered around the world for the second quarter. This is an increase from the 20.3 million units delivered in the first quarter of the year.

Apple iPad May Receive Siri Virtual Assistant Service

Siri

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The Sirivirtual assistant service will be brought to the iPad together with the release of the iOS 6 mobile platform of Apple if recent reports are to be believed.

According to 9to5Mac, trusted sources have given indications that the Siri virtual assistant service, together with most of the features that are currently being used on the iPhone 4S, will be released to the iPad by fall.

Among the features that Siri will bring to the iPad are Contacts searching, Notes, Emailing, Maps Integration, iMessaging, Calendar Management, and Music Playback.

Since the accuracy of the report remains uncertain, it may be possible for the company to unveil the service during the upcoming Worldwide Developer Conference or it can also wait for the release of the iPhone 5.

The Siri virtual assistant feature was released to the iPhone 4S last October. Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, indicated that the application was being upgraded during a recent interview during the recent D10 conference. The S on the name of the iPhone 4S reportedly represented Siri, which was being promoted as one of the main features of the smartphone.

An unofficial porting of Siri into an iPad was made last October even as some developers attempted to bring the feature into the older models of the iPhone.

Aside from the upcoming release of the Siri virtual assistant service to the iPad, the same sources reportedly revealed that some features of the Mac OS X Mountain Lion will be offered by the upcoming iOS 6 mobile platform. The iOS 6 is expected to be released during the upcoming WWDC event and will come with a feature to allow users to turn off all notifications with one toggle. It will also feature the Safari tab sync feature as well as a VIP mail feature that will highlight messages coming from selected contacts.

Retina Display on New iPad 3 Result To Updates on iBooks an iTunes U

iTunes U

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With the recent introduction of the new iPad 3 of Apple, the iTunes University apps and iBooks apps of Apple were also updated to fully optimize the HD display of the new iPad 3.

The update for the iTunes U and the iBooks was made by the company recently and it is aimed at users who wish to purchase the new iPad 3.The iBooks version 2.1 will offer sharper text when the retina display screen  of the new iPad 3 is used in viewing them.

Although the sharper text was demonstrated by Philip Schiller of Apple during the event last Wednesday, some industry watchers are still waiting for their own new iPad 3 devices before they will make their judgment.

For users of the older models of the iPad, the new iBook also offers some new features including the capability of highlighting text by swiping a finger on the text to be highlighted and selecting the highlight option. The highlight option comes with the typical options including Copy, Note, Define and Search.

Entering a number of the search field on iBooks will also allow users to go to a particular page on iBooks and some titles have the same pages as the printed copy of the title.

Content will also be display in higher resolutions when iTunes U 1.1 is used on the new iPad 3 although this is the only significant modification that users can expect with the iTunes U for the new iPad 3. There may also be some minor enhancements in the performance of the iTunes U 1.1 when it is used on the new iPad 3.

These are some enhancements that users can expect for the iTunes U and the iBooks apps once they get their hands on the new iPad 3, which is set to become available in the market by March 16.

Display Supply May Affect iPad 3 Inventory

iPad 3

The possibility that the inventory of the iPad 3 come March 7 may run short us reportedly becoming more pronounced. This was revealed recently by a source based in Asia.

It appears that the supply of the 2048 by 1536 display of the next version of the iPad may be running low as it is not easy for Samsung to provide enough panels for expected demand the device. The Apple iPad 3 is expected to be unveiled on March 7 although the actual availability of the tablet may come after this date.

If the supply of the panels for the iPad 3 will run out, delays will occur following the introduction of the device and its availability in the market.

However this situation is typical for Apple as new devices are released within days or weeks following its introduction. If the supply runs out, buyers are placed on waiting lists.

Aside from Samsung, Sharp and LG Display are also reportedly supplying the display for the upcoming iPad 3. Due to this, any delays in the supply chain of Samsung may be handled by the two other display suppliers. Despite this, Digitimes had indicated that the three manufacturers may not be able to supply enough display screens need for the iPad 3.

Sources have revealed that all three suppliers may not be able to produce enough QXGA display panels for the iPad 3.

Due to this situation, the deliveries of the iPad may not be able to cope with the expected demand until the coming second quarter of the year. The retina display of the iPad 3 is the most notable feature of the device since it basically doubles the display resolution of the current version of the device.

Apple Stocks React to iPad 3 Invites

iPad 3

The excitement over the release of the invitations for the supposed launch of the iPad 3 was not limited to gadget enthusiasts as it reportedly allowed the stocks of Apple to surge upwards. This allowed the market capitalization to go up to the $500 billion level.

The recent good condition in the market has also facilitated this upswing of the stocks of the company following the invitations for the purported iPad 3 event.

The effect of the invitation for the iPad 3 event was reportedly better compared to the earnings report which was released last month. Shares of Apple have reportedly increased by 1.8 percent or nine points following the release of the invitations. In comparison the earnings report only resulted to an eight-point increase in the Apple stocks.

The invitation for the purported iPad 3 event was immediately posted on a number of technology websites. The event is scheduled to be held on March 7 at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco.

The possible features of the upcoming iPad 3 were also posted on these websites which posted the invitation. Among the features that the device may come with include the retina display, Long Term Evolution or LTE network support, and a dual or quad-core processor. Some reports have also pointed out that the iPad 3 may possibly come with the Siri virtual assistant feature of the iPhone 4S.

The iPad of Apple is currently dominating the tablet market as it has cornered around 57 percent of the entire global tablet market in the last month. During that particular month around 15.4 million units of the iPad were delivered by the company.

With the upcoming offering of the much-anticipate iPad 3 of Apple, it is expected that Apple will continue to rule over all other tablet device in the market including upcoming Android-powered devices.

Latest Reports on Supposed iPad 3 of Apple

iPad 3

An iPad using the iOS 5.1 and Siri virtual assistant is reportedly in the works if recent rumors are to be believed. The iPad 3 of Apple is expected to be released by March in a special event that Apple will hold. However some reports have given indications that the Apple may be releasing a new type of tablet PC.

The recent reports are reportedly similar to that of the ones that emerged a year ago. These reports have pointed to an iPad 3 that will utilize the iOS 5.1 and may come with the Siri feature that is currently being used on the iPhone 4S.

Support for Long Term Evolution or LTE is also anticipated for the iPad 3 along with enhanced cameras and the Retina Display which will give the next generation tablet PC a resolution similar to that of the iPhone 4S. Other reports have also indicated that the upcoming iPad 3 will feature the A6 quad-core processor which will enhance the graphics performance of the device and facilitate the use of larger applications.

The possible use of the iOS 5.1 on the iPad 3 is among the latest reports that have emerged about the device along with the possible Siri feature. However no statements were released by Apple in connection to these iPad 3 reports.

It should also be noted that the servers of Apple are currently block third party apps from utilizing the database of Siri following the release of the SetActivationToken which prevented unauthorized use of the files of Siri.

For the moment, the iPhone 4S is the only device that supports the Siri feature although earlier reports have indicated that other devices were made to run the feature by hackers.

Aside from the reports on the release of the iPad 3, reports have also emerged on a possible eight-inch version of the device which may be available in the market in the coming quarter. This device will reportedly come with some features that the iPad 3 will have including LTE support and may compete with the Amazon Kindle Fire, which has surprised a number fo industry watchers following its success in the market.

Reports Point To iPad 4G

With the anticipated release of the Apple iPad 3 this coming March, recent reports have given indications that this upcoming tablet offering of Apple will have a version that will feature support for 4G LTE networks, the iPad 4G

Basing on reports, this supposed iPad 4G will be offered by Verizon along with AT&T and will offer support for 4G LTE networks. For the moment it remains unclear if the device will be offered by other service providers including T-Mobile and Sprint.

Even prior to the release of the existing iPad, speculations have already emerged on the possibility that the device may feature support for 4G LTE networks. With the current reports on the possible released of a supposed iPad 4G, some service providers are aiming to take advantage of this potential feature.

The iPad 4G will reportedly feature a faster performance compared to the existing version of the device.

At present, only Verizon and AT&T are offering 4G LTE services among all US-based service providers. Basing on the reports, the possible release of the supposed iPad 4G may prompt these service providers to attract more subscribers into their respective networks while existing customers may opt to upgrade their current plans.

There are some expectations that the demand for faster service will be encouraged by the higher speeds that these devices, such as the supposed iPhone 4G, will offer to users.

March Event Hints at iPad 3 Launch

iPad 3

It appears that the only thing left for the iPad 3 is for the device to be officially announced by Apple. Reports in connection to the upcoming tablet offering of Apple have given indications of the possible features of the device.

Among the more notable feature that has attracted the attention of a number of observers is the possible Retina Display on the iPad 3. This will give the device a similar resolution as the iPhone 4 and the iPhone 4S, which has impressed a number of industry watchers.

The waiting game may be ending soon as reports have pointed to a possible launch of the iPad 3 during an Apple event scheduled near the start of next month. Sources have recently given indications that the Apple event will see the introduction of the latest version of the iPad of Apple.

Earlier reports have also hinted at the possibility that an iPad mini may be released by the company aside from the iPad 3. This second iPad will reportedly feature a seven-inch display, which will allow it to compete against the surprisingly popular Amazon Kindle Fire.

The success of the iPad has made the tablet among the must-have devices in recent years and rivals have started to step up on its development of their own versions of the device. And reports on the iPad 3 simply show that Apple is not resting on its laurels.

But one niche that Apple needs to work on is the seven-inch tablet market, which has been the niche that is currently being dominated by the rivals of the company. With the demand for this tablet size, some industry watchers have given indications that this may be a market that Apple may possibly go into in the future once the iPad 3 is released.

Whether or not Apple will include this market as one of its target in the future remains to be seen. For now, focus is on the anticipated launch of the iPad 3 this coming March.

Reports Hint at February Release of iPad 3

The release date of the Apple iPad 3 remains uncertain at this date although there are already rumblings on a possible launch date of the next generation tablet offering of Apple on the birthday of the late co-founder of Apple, Steve Jobs.

Steve Jobs, the main architect behind the success of Apple, passed away on October 5 last year. On February 24, he would have been 57 years old. Some observers consider the possible release of the iPad 3 on this date as a tribute to the man served as an inspiration to gadget enthusiasts around the world.

This reported launch date for the successor of the Apple iPad 2 was based on reports that the supply partners of Apple in Asia are already working on the preparation of the components of the iPad 3. A Citi analyst had also hinted in earlier reports that the iPad 3 will be released into the market sometime in February, which is consistent with the supposed February 24 launch date of the device.

However it should also be noted that the launch dates of the previous version of the device were released around the month of April.

Other reports have also revealed that the iPad 3 may be released sometime in January during a Macworld/iWorld event. However, this was quickly shot down as Apple had announced years ago that it will not participate in the Macworld Expo anymore. Other observers have also noted that the source of the report on the possible January launch of the iPad 3 was a website that has a less-than-admirable record in the accuracy of its reports on Apple products.

Whether or not the iPad 3 will be released on the birthday of the late Steve Jobs remains to be seen although it will definitely be a fitting tribute to the main who made a number of contributions in the tech world.

Potential Features of the Apple iPad 3

It seems that the Apple iPad 3 has been hitting the headlines more often lately. These reports have initially focused on the possible features of this upcoming tablet offering of Apple.

Some reports have speculated on the Retina Display for the iPad 3. Currently the Retina Display is being utilized on the iPhone offerings of the company. With the  Retina Display, the image quality of the iPad 3 will be enhanced although this would also require a dual-bar LED lighting to increase the  brightness of  the LCD panels.

Initially reports have indicated that this will affect the thickness of the device and would compel the company to make the iPad 3 thicker. Should this happen, it will go against the policy of the company in offering slimmer and smaller devices to its users.

However this was reportedly dealt with as reports have indicated that the iPad 3 will be using the indium gallium zinc oxide or the IGZO LCD screen which will effectively enhance the image of the device without requiring the dual-bar LED lighting.

Another possible feature that the iPad 3 will reportedly come with is the A6 quad-core processor which will give the tablet optimum performance. However it remains to be seen if the upcoming iPad will feature this particular processor once it is released into the market.

However among the more notable reports that emerged recently is the possibility that the iPad 3 will not be alone when it will enter the market. Reports have indicated that a smaller and cheaper version of the device in order for Apple to counter the recent gains that the Amazon Kindle Fire was able to achieve in the  tablet market.

These are just some of the reports that emerged in the last few weeks in connection to the upcoming release of iPad 3 of Apple.