Andy Rubin, head of Google’s Android division, says six million tablets are running Android, making the case that Android is gaining some ground in the iPad-dominated tablet market.
“It’s not 30 million, but it’s a healthy start,” said Rubin, Google’s vice president of mobile, answering a question about why Android tablets “completely flopped.” With more than 11 million tablets sold last quarter alone, no one has yet to come close to the iPad, Rubin responding : “Obviously, we have to get there,”
It is important to note that the six million figure may not be completely accurate as Android also powers tablets that aren’t labeled as “Android devices”, including the new Amazon Kindle Fire device. With pre-order estimates as high as 95,000 on the day of it’s announcement and a steady 20,000 per day since then, the $200 Fire tablet is creating a new segment in a market dominated by Apple.
On the other hand, Android has had its share of setbacks. Currently Samsung is in a patent war with Apple over the Samsung Galaxy tab 10.1. The Android device has been banned in Australia and US injuctions could follow. These decisions could seriously impact Galaxy sales this holiday season.
