Worldwide tablet and 2-in-1 (computers that can function as tablets) shipments slipped to 50.4 million units in the first calendar quarter of 2014 according to preliminary data from IDC. The total represents a sequential decline of 35.7 per cent from the high-volume holiday quarter, and just 3.9 per cent growth over the same period a year ago. The slowdown was felt across all operating systems and screen sizes, and likely points to an even more challenging year ahead for the category. Apple maintained its lead in the worldwide tablet plus 2-in-1 market, shipping 16.4 million units. That is down from 26.0 million units in the previous quarter and well below its total of 19.5 million units in the first quarter of 2013. Despite the contraction, the company saw its share of the market slip only modestly to 32.5 per cent, down from the previous quarter's share of 33.2 per cent. Samsung once again grew its worldwide share, increasing from 17.2 per cent last quarter to 22.3 per cent this quarter. Release