Global tablet shipments reached 15.1 million units in the second quarter, surging 331 percent from 3.5 million in Q2 2010, according to a study by Strategy Analytics. Apple maintained first position with 61 percent share, drifting from 94 percent a year earlier due to a rising number of competing software platforms. Consumer and business demand for touchscreen computers remains high. Apple shipped a record 9.3 million iPads. Android captured a 30 percent share of global tablet shipments in Q2. Multiple Android models distributed across multiple countries by multiple brands such as Samsung, Acer, Asus, Motorola and others are driving volumes. However, no Android vendor yet offers a blockbuster model to rival the iPad, and demand for many Android vendors' products remains patchy. If Amazon decides to enter the Android tablet category later this year, that will bring fresh excitement and buzz to the Android community, but Amazon will need to deliver a truly standout offering if it really wants to make headway against the popular iPad, said Neil Mawston, director at Strategy Analytics. Microsoft captured a niche 5 percent global tablet share in Q2, leveraging Windows 7 through partners such as Fujitsu. RIM and its QNX platform captured 3 percent global tablet share in Q2. The first-generation PlayBook model experienced a lackluster launch due to product design issues surrounding native e-mail support.
