There was a time, not so long ago, when the biggest outrage was simply someone misjudging Apple. A simpler era, filled with youthful exuberance and the naive belief that even the most outlandish ideas – like a dating app for open relationships within gated communities – might actually work. It felt like a limitless buffet of possibilities, thankfully without the risk of food poisoning.
Now, the conversation is dominated by artificial intelligence. Perhaps it was the relentless barrage of AI-driven Super Bowl commercials, showcasing actors alongside their digital doppelgangers, that sparked this wave of nostalgia. Or maybe it was the recent news: iPad demand is surging, and Apple’s grip on the tablet market is tightening.
Sixteen years after its debut, the iPad – once dismissed as “just a big iPhone” – continues to reign supreme. Apple shipped 19.6 million iPads in the last quarter of 2025, a remarkable 16.5 percent increase year-over-year. This boost propelled their market share to nearly 45 percent.
While analyst predictions are often questionable, the numbers feel undeniably accurate. Consider the last time you encountered someone using an Android tablet. The disparity is striking. Apple doesn’t just hold the largest market share; they almost certainly command the largest profit share as well.
It’s a wry amusement, remembering the chorus of voices predicting the iPad’s downfall. Experts confidently declared Android tablets would surpass it, mirroring the fate of the iPhone. In 2010, one firm claimed the iPad “failed to convince buyers” based on a survey showing doubled disinterest. The headline conveniently omitted the fact that interest in *buying* an iPad had tripled.
The Motorola Xoom was once hailed as the iPad’s superior, boasting 4G connectivity the iPad 2 lacked. A decisive victory, right? Except, the Xoom didn’t actually *have* 4G. It promised it, eventually, requiring owners to mail their devices in for a seven-month upgrade that never quite materialized. Motorola, sadly, no longer exists.
In 2012, reports surfaced that Android tablets were “beating out the iPad in business and IT.” This conclusion was based on the fact that 44 percent of companies *not already using* iPads stated their intention to purchase Android tablets. A fascinating exercise in faith-based mathematics, and a prime example of the unreliability of surveys measuring future buying habits.
The list of incorrect predictions about the iPad is extensive, a topic the Macalope could endlessly dissect. But the outcome is clear: the battle is over, and the iPad has won. Future updates will likely be incremental, as the tablet market has matured. Expect continued refinements – thinner designs, increased capabilities – but not explosive growth.
However, true innovation in tablets isn’t dead. A host of smaller companies are experimenting with e-ink screens, pushing boundaries and embracing unconventional ideas. While unlikely to reach the iPad’s scale, these ventures offer a fascinating glimpse into the future, a bit like the delightfully messy invention of Chicago-style deep-dish pizza.
