Market researchers at ABI Research have released a report stating the Tablets are going to take the lion’s share of the Ultra Mobile Device (UMD) market. Netbooks will be surrendering a huge percentage of the market to Tablets over the coming years and months particularly in the United States according to ABI. “Netbook value will shift from highly competitive computing and mobile broadband markets, including the U.S., to countries where low computing and home broadband penetration offers the greatest potential for mobile computing.”
But ABI was quick to point out that no one particular type of device ever sustains market dominance for more than 36 months at a time in any part of the world. The firm considers ultra-mobile PCs (UMPCs), mobile Internet devices (MIDs), netbooks, and media tablets as contenders in this market. Out of 37 million units which are expected to be sold in this market ABI predicts 28 million will be iPad 2’s. But ABI says that the UMD cannot successfully take on both the PC and Smartphone market at the same time yet since: “For UMDs in the US to take the PC or smartphone markets head-on, there needs to be a fundamental shift in buying behavior driven by lifestyle enhancements and workplace requirements.”
