Tablet sales forecast leaps again

Global tablet computer sales are expected to hit 145 million this year, a research firm said Wednesday in the latest upgrade of the sizzling segment.

ABI Research said it raised its forecast due to "a combination of new market entrants, more affordable choices for consumers, and increased adoption by business audiences."

"The rate of innovation is slowing as tablet vendors augment their product portfolios to meet the needs of market audiences," says ABI's Jeff Orr.

"The late 2012 launches of Apple's iPad mini and a variety of slates based on Intel architecture and new Windows operating systems will only begin to show their progress this year."

ABI said North America will account for just over 50 percent of worldwide sales.

Business sales are expected to account for 19 percent of the total, as corporate customers look to newer models aimed at their users.

Sales data from 2012 are still being compiled, but some forecasts indicated the total number of tablets sold would be around 126 million.

(c) 2013 AFP