The researcher says that total tablet sales went beyond 64 million units in 2011, but claims that this figure will shoot up to 232 million units in 2016, with tablet ownership in the consumer market rising from 52 million across USA and western Europe in 2011, to a user base of 153 million in 2013.

As to be expected, ownership will be highest in the United States, although Futuresource’s Tablet Technology and Markets report does indicate that there will be ‘significant opportunities’ for growth in western Europe.

The report goes on to add detail on how consumers view tablets, although the views that consumers see tablets as complementary devices (rather than a replacement for a desktop or laptop) which are great for media content isn’t exactly new information. The fact that 90% of tablet shipments were for consumer in 2011 is also unlikely to surprise many.

There was however some more interesting figures on app downloads, and the effect tablets are having on digital publishing.

In terms of app downloads, Futuresource reckons that tablets accounted for 10% of total mobile app downloads in 2011, but does expect this share to double up by 2016, while the researcher is convinced tablet owners – particularly those in the US – are more likely  to pay for apps.

Futuresource has also recognized how tablets are impacting news publishing, and expects the ascent of eBooks being read on eBook Readers and tablets to see digital downloads in the US to account for almost 70% of book sales by 2016, a sharp incline from the 20% recorded in 2011.