iPad to dominate tablet market through 2010

Market research firm iSuppli recently reported Apple’s iPad will likely dominate the burgeoning tablet market until at least 2012 due to its greater utility than current competitors' offerings, such as Amazon’s Kindle and Barnes and Noble’s Nook.

iSuppli estimates the iPad will account for more than 74 percent of the total tablet shipments in 2010, as intrigue over the device continues to grow. Even in 2011, when more competitors hit the market, iSuppli believes Apple will maintain more than 70 percent of the market share.

Current competitors include “PC-type tablet products and competitive slates,” but 2011 will bring devices with similar capabilities, which include web access and various applications. Companies specializing in mobile application development have altered some solutions specifically for the iPad, and they will likely do the same for new products released next year.

“Although the iPad has been on the market for only a few months, powerful interests throughout the technology business are devoting enormous resources to challenge and topple Apple’s domination in this fast-growing marketplace,” said Rhoda Alexander, director of monitor research at iSuppli.

Also adding to the iPad’s success is its place in enterprise mobility, according to iPass. The company recently reported nearly 60 percent of the companies surveyed plan to use the tablet for “a substantial amount of work.”