As an addition to research firm Gartner's latest report analysing the current state of play in the smartphone market, the firm also offered a prediction regarding tablet sales in the coming year.

In short, iPad is set to have a very successful 2011.

Based on current projections, Gartner believes total tablet sales will hit 54.8 million units by the end of 2011, with iPad ringing the majority of tills across the course of the year.

Keeping it in the family

Though Gartner doesn't go as far as to split total sales between the various tablets set to be on the market next year, it does suggest iPad's advantage will owe much to the success of both iPhone and iPod touch.

"Apple's dramatic expansion of iOS with the iPad and the continuing success of the iPod Touch are important sales achievements in their own right," said Gartner's research VP Carolina Milanesi.

"But more importantly they contribute to the strength of Apple's ecosystem and the iPhone in a way that smartphone-only manufacturers cannot compete with."

Developer desireMilanesi believes iPad's strong ties with other iOS devices means it's hard for developers to ignore the platform, meaning the tablet is set to be packed with apps that never grace its rivals.

"To a developer, the iPod touch, iPhone and, to a lesser extent, the iPad are effectively the same device and a single market opportunity," Milanesi added.

"While Android is increasingly available on media tablets and media players like the Galaxy Player, it lags far behind iOS's multi-device presence.

"Apple claims it is activating around 275,000 iOS devices per day on average — that's a compelling market for any developer, and developers' applications in turn attract users."

Tablet wars

Gartner's figures fall roughly in line with a notable upping of iPad sales predictions for next year.

Wedge Partners' analyst Brian Blair recently claimed Apple is gearing up to manufacture 45-48 million iPads in 2011.

Meanwhile, Samsung intends to have sold 10 million Galaxy Tabs by the end of next year.

Gartner's full report can be downloaded for $1,295 from the firm's website.