Juniper Research's forecast for the forthcoming tablet battle is predictably a two way affair.

Being first to market, Apple is set to be the dominant player for some time to come - having sold 7.5 million to-date - with Android enabling other OEMs to get a slice of the action in the coming years.

As a result of this tussle, Juniper states global annual tablet shipments will surpass 80 million by 2015 – although other firms and platforms will, gradually, make their respective moves to snap up their own share of the market.

Apple vs. Android"Competition to Apple is likely to arrive in earnest in 2011, though by then Apple is likely to be ready to launch a new version of the iPad, reinforcing its market position," said Juniper's senior analyst Anthony Cox.

Despite this supposedly sharp rise in shipments, Juniper's forecast is actually somewhat conservative when compared to those some of its rivals.

Research by Gartner recently suggested that tablet sales will hit 154 million by 2013 – almost double Juniper's forecast for 2015.

Which WindowsNonetheless, Juniper surmises that Android will be the platform of choice for new entrants, though firms will also being to support Windows Phone 7 and MeeGo tablets at some point in 2011.

Indeed, this facet of the company's assessment is interesting purely because Microsoft is yet to commit Windows Phone 7 as a tablet OS.

Despite suggestions that the platform would be a suitable fit for such devices, Microsoft is currently pushing Windows 7 as its tablet OS of choice.

However, it's Juniper's belief that Microsoft's hand will effectively be forced, given the rise of iOS and Android based tablets is hitting the businesses of Nokia, RIM and Microsoft harder than most.

Juniper's full findings – delivered in its report 'Tablets & Connected Devices: Opportunities, Strategies & Forecast Scenarios 2010-2015' - can be downloaded for £1,750 from the firm's website.