English: A woman cuddling a pile of digital devices: laptops, smartphones, tablets, ebook readers... [+]
Multi-use tablet sales are dominating single-use ebook readers. IHS estimates that ebook sales will decrease 36% this year from 23.2 million to 14.9 million and continue to fall to 7.1 million in 2016.
Source: IHS. Estimates by IHS and Sand Hill Insights
This mirrors the similar fate that other single-use devices such as GPS systems, MP3 players and digital still cameras have faced. On the other hand IHS estimates that tablet shipments are projected to hit 120 million in 2012 and 340 million in 2016. Note that IDC’s 2016 estimate for tablet shipments is 283 million units. Either way tablets are poised for significant growth.
Disclosure: My family and I own Apple shares.
