Tablet market a "one-horse race" as binmen given iPads

Mancunian refuse collectors latest to join iPad revolution as analyst pours water over Apple's tablet rivals

The iPad's growing hegemony has been extended to Mancunian binmen, amid predictions that Apple will dominate the tablet market for years to come.

The device will be mounted on the dashboard of up to 22 lorries used by binmen in the Greater Manchester area, at an estimated cost of more than £9,000.

Bury Council hopes the project will save cash and improve collection rates and customer service standards.

The news comes after market watcher IHS hoisted its forecast for 2011 iPad shipments to 44.2 million, up from its previous prediction of 43.7 million in May.

At the same time, IHS reduced its shipment outlook for alternative tablets, claiming that Apple will account for the bulk of all tablet shipments until at least 2013.

"All the momentum in the media tablet market is with Apple right now," said Rhoda Alexander, senior manager, tablet and monitor research at IHS.

"The competition cannot seem to field a product with the right combination of hardware, marketing, applications and content to match up with the iPad.

"Furthermore, Apple's patent litigation is serving to slow or complicate competitors' entry into some key regional markets. With Apple lapping its competitors, many of whom are still struggling to get out of the starting gate, this remains a one-horse race."

The Mancunian binmen will be expected to use the iPad to analyse which households do not recycle, whose bins are too heavy and who needs assistance putting out their bins, giving a more accurate representation of refuse collection needs.

Glenn Stuart, head of waste management, said: "The scheme is replacing paperwork which can get lost in cabs or get wet. Waste collection is a dirty operation. Nothing will be lost. It is captured and retained for future benefit."