Earlier in the year, IDC estimated that tablet shipments would hit 106m in 2012, a revision on the previously predicted 87.7m.
Of course, the Microsoft Surface, Galaxy Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HDand Kobo Arc have been revealed since that time, while an iPad Mini is expected to debut very soon.
It's likely that in combination with the 'robust consumer demand' that has encouraged the researcher to wager that worldwide shipments will reach 117.1m unit in 2012, with sales set to surge in Q4 ahead of Christmas.
Devices shipped by OS share between 2011-2012 and 2012-2016 are set to look like this:
* Windows tablets comprising Windows 7, RT, and 8 are to rise from one per cent in 2011 to four per cent, up to 11 per cent.
* iOS to grow from 57.2 per cent in 2011 to 60 per cent before slipping back to 58 per cent.
* Android to slip from from 38.9 per cent to 35.3 per cent, declining further to 30.5 per cent by 2016.
RIM's BlackBerry PlayBook wasn't even mentioned, presumably on a lack of sway in the space, though the firm attempted to revive interest recently with a Canada-only launch of a LTE-enabled model.
Meanwhile, 2013 shipments have also been adjusted from 142.8m to 165.9m, while 2016 worldwide shipments are set to reach 261.4m.
Tom Mainelli, research director, mobile connected devices at IDC, said: "Apple leads the market with its iPad, and we expect its dominance to continue in the second half of the year. Still, we believe there is room in the market for others to find success, and new Android- and Windows-based products shipping in the coming months will give consumers plenty of buying options during the holiday season."
Jennifer Song, research analyst for IDC's worldwide trackers, said: "Tablets running Microsoft's upcoming Windows 8 and RT operating systems, including the company's own Surface tablets, will add some momentum.
"However, we expect shipments to remain low in the fourth quarter as high prices and consumer confusion around these devices will limit their appeal. Also, in the second half of the year Android should benefit from the success of the Nexus 7 and Amazon's launch of new Kindle Fires."

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