Apple’s iPad set a shipment record in Q2 2012, giving it a better than anticipated quarter according to IDC.
Total worldwide tablet shipments for the second quarter of 2012 (2Q12) are estimated at 25 million units; up from 18.7 in the first quarter of 2012. That represents a quarter-over-quarter increase of 33.6% and a robust year-over-year growth rate of 66.2%, up from 15 million units in the second quarter of 2011.
Apple had a record quarter, shipping 17 million iPads in Q2, up from 11.8 million units in 1Q12 and well above its previous record of 15.4 million in 4Q11.
While Apple may still have a nice chunk of the market, Samsung and ASUS tablets are seeing crazy growth rates as well.
Samsung experienced exceptional growth, and landed in second place with 2.4 million units shipped, up from 1.1 million units a year ago. Amazon rebounded from a sluggish first quarter to post shipments of 1.2 million units (the company, which ships its Fire tablet only in the U.S., entered the market in 4Q11). ASUS shipped 855,454 units, well above its total of 397,048 units a year ago. Finally, only fifth-placed Acer saw its year-over-year numbers decline, as it shipped 385,458 units this quarter, down from 629,222 units a year ago. It’s worth noting that shipments of the well-received Google/ASUS co-branded Nexus 7 aren’t reflected in these totals, as that product officially began shipping into the channel in the third quarter of 2012.
IDC reports that the tablet race could heat up even more with Microsoft releasing the Surface in the second half of 2012.
Apple has reportedly chosen March 16th as the launch date for its next generation iPad, according to a 9to5Mac source.
We’ve been told by a Apple Store source who has been reliable in the past that preparations are being made for a big Apple Store event which will culminate on Friday, March 16th. Naturally, this points to an iPad 3 launch on the Friday just nine days after tomorrow’s announcement.
The ARM is a new collapsible stand for the iPad and Android tablets that makes it easier to mount your iPad for use in various situations.
The iPad it’s such an incredible device. It looks cool browsing the web with one hand, but usually you need to operate the tablet with two hands… and after a while… gets tiring. What’s the point of having mobile devices like this if you can’t find new and innovative ways to enjoy them?
That’s why we propose you the ARM: the most versatile stand for iPad and any other tablet model, that can be used in a wide range of situations (not unlike many other stands conceived for one particular scenario).
The ARM is on Kickstarter now and has received over $25,000 of its $125,000 funding goal. There is still 52 days left for you to pledge $165 towards a stand of your own.
The supposed casing for the iPad 3 has been measured to be 0.8mm thicker than the iPad 2, reports Apple.pro.
Using a digital caliper the iPad 2 rear shell has been measured to 8.69 mm thick while the leaked iPad 3 part measures 9.50 mm. That’s a difference of 0.81 mm.
MacRumors notes that the official iPad 2 specs have the device at 8.8 mm thick, just slightly thicker than the rear shell. Transitively the iPad 3 should measure about 9.6 mm. That a difference of 9%. However, it will likely be imperceptible to most users.
Research In Motion announced that the new BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 will be released for download today. BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 delivers an enhanced tablet experience and allows you to use the BlackBerry PlayBook in new ways throughout the day – at work and at play.
“Building on the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet’s proven web browsing, multimedia and multitasking strengths, the new BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 introduces a range of new communications and productivity enhancements as well as expanded app and content support,” said David J. Smith, SVP Mobile Computing, Research In Motion.
New BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 features include:
● Integrated email client with a powerful unified inbox: With BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 you have the option to use a unified inbox that consolidates all messages in one place, including messages from Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter, as well as personal and work email accounts.
● Social Integration with Calendar and Contacts apps: The built-in calendar harnesses information from social networks and makes it available where and when users need it. Contact cards are also dynamically populated with updated information from Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to create a consolidated view of contacts.
● Updated BlackBerry Bridge app: BlackBerry Bridge is a unique app that provides a Bluetooth connection between your BlackBerry PlayBook and core apps on your BlackBerry smartphone (including BBM, Email, Contacts, Calendar and Browser) in order to let you view the content on the larger tablet display. With BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0, it’s easier and quicker than ever to take documents, web pages, emails and photos that appear on your BlackBerry smartphone and display them on your BlackBerry PlayBook for an optimized viewing and editing experience. The updated BlackBerry Bridge app also provides a new remote control feature that allows a BlackBerry smartphone to be used as a wireless keyboard and mouse for a BlackBerry PlayBook.
● Improved mobile productivity: Updated document editing functions, the new Print To Go app, and increased control and manageability of corporate data with BlackBerry Balance allow you to get more out of your BlackBerry PlayBook every day. Plus, an updated virtual keyboard with auto correction and predictive next word completion learns how you type to enable faster, more accurate typing.
● New apps and content: Thousands of new apps are being added to BlackBerry App World today (including a range of Android apps that will run on the BlackBerry PlayBook). A new BlackBerry Video Store1 is launching today. Enhanced web browsing capabilities are also available with BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0.
In conjunction with the release of BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0, RIM is making available an initial release of BlackBerry Mobile Fusion that will include support for managing BlackBerry PlayBook tablets and BlackBerry smartphones2 in an enterprise. The full release of BlackBerry Mobile Fusion (with mobile device management capabilities for iOS and Android devices) is planned for general availability in late March 2012. For more information about BlackBerry Mobile Fusion, please visit http://www.blackberry.com/mobilefusion.
Availability:
The BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 software update is now available as a free download for all BlackBerry PlayBook tablets.
