Strong growth in the processor market for tablet devices this year and beyond will draw increasing competition from suppliers eager to throw their hat into the ring, including the likes of Intel, according to a new report from IHS Technology. Global shipments in 2014 of tablet processors will reach an estimated 299.7 million units, up 23 per cent from 243.1 million units last year. Another robust increase is expected in 2015 when volumes increase by 18 per cent, with tablet processors then exceeding 400 million units by 2016. "With the iPad from Apple, Samsung's Galaxy and other offerings from various tablet makers still selling well among consumers, a number of vendors are starting to join the race to supply tablet processors for the market," said Gerry Xu, senior analyst for processor research at IHS. The players range from Intel to Chinese suppliers involved in the so-called white-box market for lower-end tablets, Xu noted. However, the new entrants will face a small, entrenched group of tablet processor makers with very deep pockets, including Samsung Electronics and Qualcomm. These companies could make it difficult for others to make much headway. Release