CNETAnalysis: Following what one analyst firm is calling a “stellar holiday period”, there are now 5 million tablets in use in Australia, or nearly one tablet for every four Aussies. According to Telesyte, half of these tablets were sold in 2012, and the firm predicts this figure will grow by a further 50% this year, with a focus on cheaper Android tablets. “Low cost and smaller form factor media tablets, typically without cellular connectivity, are shaping the market,” said Telsyte research director Foad Fadaghi. Bigger is not always better The analyst firm is predicting a shift away from 10-inch tablets towards units with screens ranging from 7 to 9-inches. This trend is starting to move tablet shoppers away from Apple’s iPad and towards lower cost alternatives. Primarily, these alternatives run on Google OS, with Fadaghi believing the platform’s success in smartphones is creating a “halo effect” for tablets. Price is the other major advantage for Android based models, especially with Google’s own low-cost Nexus 7 . Quality products like these have many tablet shoppers wondering whether the premium price on the iPad is warranted. Telesyte is also predicting steady growth for Windows 8 tablets, despite some manufacturers losing faith in the platform as a successful system for tablets. Though, loosely defining hybrid Ultrabooks as tablets could prove this prediction correct down the track. Image created using PlaceIt . Related Stories In Depth: Best iPad mini apps: 15 top apps you should download today Huawei: ’4G will drastically change the tablet market in 2013′ Samsung winding down Windows RT tablets because nobody wants ‘em? Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 Plus shows up with super screen 10 amazing things to do with your iPad in tech. this week Posted by: Maryum
