Android tabs devour iPad's share

Market researcher Strategy Analytics says Android-based tablet computers increased their share nearly 10-fold to 22% in global tablet shipments during the December quarter compared to the previous quarter, eating into market leader Apple's share, states IBN Live.

Global tablet shipments rose to 9.7 million units in the last quarter of 2010, up 120% from 4.4 million units in the third quarter. Apple continued to be the leader in the tablet market but its share declined as competition grew from tablets based on Google's operating system Android.

Apple's iPad recorded an impressive 75% global market share during the fourth quarter, but it slipped from a peak of 95% in Q3 2010 due to rising competition from Android, director at Strategy Analytics Peter King says.

Laptops and global positioning systems have become 'favourites' among thieves preying on cars across the Newcastle area, writes The Herald.

The outbreak in the thefts has prompted Newcastle City police to ask drivers to take valuables with them rather than leave them in their cars. Thieves have struck vehicles in suburbs including Merewether, Cooks Hill, Wallsend, Minmi and Lambton and the number of car break-ins at beach parking lots is rising.

Newcastle City crime prevention officer Senior Constable Jeff Milton said police did not believe there was an organised group coordinating the robberies.

According to researcher Canalys, Google's Android operating system became the world's leading smartphone platform, accounting for 33.3 million of the 101.2 million smartphones shipped worldwide in the fourth quarter 2010, reports eWeek.

Canalys, which crunched smartphone shipments across North America, Asia Pacific, EMEA and Latin America, says Android edged the struggling Nokia, which sold 31 million units for the quarter. Android's market share closed hewed to its shipment total, at 32.9%, while Nokia was at 30.6% share through Q4.

Apple sold 16.2 million iPhones, good for a 16% share and solid third place. Research In Motion, which finds its smartphone leadership position squeezed in the US market by Apple iPhones and Android handsets, followed Apple with 14.6 million units shipped on 14.4% share.