Full-Year iPad Shipments Falling Below Expectations

Market researchers continue to reduce their annual shipment expectations for

iPad. According to market intelligence firm

, Apple will ship a total of 70.5 million iPads by the end of 2013. This is down from TrendForce's previous expectation of 72.1 million units. TrendForce has also reduced its iPad market share expectations to 37 percent (versus 44 percent achieved in 2012). This full-year estimate is a slight improvement over Apple's position during the second quarter, at which time the company commanded

. When the year began, Apple was expected to ship as many as 100 million tablets. That estimate was

by the first week of March. At the time, iPad sales were still going strong. During the March quarter, Apple sold

-- nearly eight million more units than were sold during the same quarter in 2012. The first-generation iPad Mini is being

with Apple's success.

The growth spurt did not last forever, however. iPad sales dropped roughly 20 percent during the June quarter, when Apple sold

. During the same quarter in 2012, Apple sold 17 million units. Before this decline was announced, numerous reports claimed that the iPad Mini -- the leader of Apple tablet sales -- would experience some declines. While it was unclear if lower sales demand was to blame, Apple was expected to ship

. At one point iPad Mini shipments were rumored to be

. In June,

-- a robots company that now develops iPad cases -- made the bold claim that Apple would defy expectations and ship

. Others within the industry have been a bit more conservative. In the months and weeks leading up to Apple's

, rumors claimed that the iPad Mini 2 would be

or ship in

. The latter rumor seems to be coming true. While Apple announced that the iPad Air will be released on Friday, November 1, the company has not committed to a release date for the iPad Mini with Retina Display. Consumers are currently told that it will arrive "later" in November. Apple is rumored to ship

during the fourth quarter. Shipment numbers for the iPad Mini with Retina Display remain a mystery. Disclosure: