In its latest report, the research firm Gartner predicts the evolution of the tablet market.

It says that Apple's iPad will strengthen its position at the top of the food chain with 73 million units sold worldwide. This accounts for 61.4 per cent of the global tablet market. Sales are expected to reach 119 million units this year, according to the forecast. Compared to last year, Apple's iPad sales will almost double, as the report indicates a 98 per cent growth.

Consequently, iOS will remain the leading mobile platform in this market followed at a distance by Android.

By the end of this year, Google's mobile OS will power almost 38 million tablets. Microsoft ranks third in the hierarchy with almost 5 million devices.

Carolina Milanesi, research vice president at Gartner pointed out that Apple's competitors are still struggling to win significant chunks of the market.

"Despite PC vendors and phone manufacturers wanting a piece of the pie and launching themselves into the media tablet market, so far, we have seen very limited success outside of Apple with its iPad," said Gartner's analyst.

source: AppleInsider