Reports: Apple to continue tablet dominance

More than 126 million tablet units are expected to ship in 2012, up 85% from 2011 numbers.

New data out from iSuppli predicts iPad will be the dominant tablet interface at least through 2012. Apple is expected to hold only a 61% share of the tablet space for the second year in a row (2011-2012). Android, meanwhile, which hosts the operating system for a dearth of tablets including the Kindle Fire is expected to end 2012 with a 38% share of the marketplace.

During Q4 2011 Android's market share increased to 41.1%.

"The key to Apple's media-tablet success has been its offering of a complete hardware-plus-content ecosystem," said Rhoda Alexander, director for monitors and tablets research at IHS. "The combination of a good-looking device, well-designed applications, video, books and music has provided consumers with an easy-to-use product and an appealing use case. Such an ecosystem took Apple years to put together, starting with the iPod plus iTunes Music Store more than nine years ago, and it's proving to be a challenge for the company's competitors to replicate it."

A smaller version of the iPad, still only a rumor across the tablet space, which could release later in 2012 if the rumors are true, will further cement Apple's tablet leadership, notes the researcher.

Meanwhile, Velti's April numbers are out and indicate adoption of the iPad 3 is increasing at a slower rate than that of the iPad 2 where advertising is concerned. Apple's iOS holds 53% of ad impressions (March 2012) and holds a mobile impression rate - across the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch units - of 48%.

Tags: iSuppli, mobile ad revenue, mobile advertising, mobile marketing, mobile trends, tablet ads, tablet trends, Velti