Apple’s iPad tablet launch last week reflects the real start of a new market segment for media tablets that the analysts at ABI Research predict will grow from four million units shipped this year to 57 million each year by 2015.“Apple’s iPad is not the first media tablet,” says senior analyst Jeff Orr. “But it does help define this new device category. The main focus of media tablets is entertainment. A tablet will not replace a laptop, netbook or mobile phone, but will remain an additional premium or luxury product for wealthy industrialized markets for at least several years.” ABI Research defines media tablets as having a touch-screen interface, 5-11 inches in size, with WiFi Internet connectivity and video and gaming capabilities. Other features are available in some
