Android to lead mobile computing revolution

The mobile computing market will reach 150 million shipments a year by 2015, with tablets running Android leading the charge, according to the latest research from Ovum.

The analyst firm predicts a compound annual growth rate of 60 per cent over the next four years from 14.2 million shipments in 2010.

Operating systems included in Ovum's predictions are Apple's iOS, Google's Android, HP's webOS and RIM's BlackBerry Tablet OS.

Tony Cripps, Ovum principal analyst, said that the mobile computing market has been set alight by the Apple iPad and its rivals.

"This huge growth in shipments will be dominated by tablet-style technologies such as the iPad, and will mainly be driven by consumers buying devices to complement their smartphones," he said.

"This will either be as a 'third device' where there is a high penetration of PCs, or the primary computing device where there is low penetration."

Google is set to benefit the most over the next four years, according to Ovum, while Apple's share will drop from 90 per cent last year to 35 per cent in 2015.

Google will have edged out in front with a 36 per cent share, according to the figures, as its developer support will boost the operating system and increase adoption.

The complementary appeal of 'lite' devices means that the market will grow alongside other mobile devices, and will not erode their popularity regardless of how similar they are in form and function.

"The greater ease of use of smartphones for the majority of consumers means that shipments of the tablet and other 'lite' OS devices will not dramatically erode the growing demand for smartphones," said Cripps.

"This is especially pertinent given their obvious similarity in hardware and software technology."

North America and western Europe will see the largest penetration of the devices, and will account for 23 and 19 per cent of users respectively. Asia Pacific will take over a third of shipments.