According to the latest research from Strategy Analytics (http://www.strategyanalytics.com), global tablet shipments reached over four million units in the third quarter of 2010. Apple was the clear market leader, capturing 95% global share and beating Android into second place.

“Global tablet shipments grew 26% sequentially to reach 4.4 million units in Q3 2010," says Peter King, director at Strategy Analytics. " Apple was the clear market leader during the quarter, capturing an impressive 95 percent share with the iPad and beating Android into second place.”

Neil Mawston, Director at Strategy Analytics, adds, “The tablet wars are up and running. Apple has quickly leveraged its famous brand, an extensive retail presence and user-friendly design to develop the tablet segment into a multi-billion-dollar global business. Android, Microsoft, MeeGo, webOS, Blackberry and other platforms are trailing in Apple’s wake and they already have much ground to make up.”

Other findings from the research include:

° The Android operating system achieved just 2 percent global tablet market share in Q3 2010. Strategy Analytics expects Android’s share to rise in the fourth quarter as more models, such as the Samsung Galaxy Tab, enter the market;

° The U.S. was by far the world’s largest tablet market during the quarter, but demand is also emerging in Western Europe and Asia.