Global tablet shipments reached 10 million units in the fourth quarter of 2010, according to a study by Strategy Analytics. Apple maintained first position, while Android soared and captured a record 21.6 percent global share. Global tablet shipments grew 120 percent sequentially to reach 9.7 million units in Q4 2010. Apple recorded 75.3 percent global market share during the fourth quarter, but it has slipped from a peak of 95.5 percent in Q3 2010 due to rising competition from Android. According to the researcher, Android tablet volumes experienced 2000 percent sequential growth, and its global market share soared to a record 22 percent in Q4 2010. Samsung Galaxy Tab was the main driver of Android's success, as the model was launched in dozens of countries and promoted heavily by Samsung. The researcher expects Android to increase its share of the global tablet market during the first half of this year. The growing base of tablets will make Android a more attractive platform for media developers in the US and worldwide. The US was by far the world's largest tablet market during the quarter.
