More than half (59%) of Australian tablets users use iOS, and that figure jumps to 72% among females, according to a new report from Forrester Research.

Meanwhile, male tablet users are more split in their preferences with 46% using iPads and 44% using Android tablets. 

App developers setting their sights on the tablet market but with limited budget, should use different development strategies to target different audiences, Forrester’s Senior Analyst Tim Sheedy recommends. “When developing apps specifically for female tablet users, an iOS strategy will grab the lion’s share of them.”

With increasing connectivity, features, functions and use, tablet adoption is expected to grow among Australian adults. Trends such as corporations upgrading to Windows 8 and BYOT, are boosting its rate of adoption. 

While the Australian tablet market is dominated by Apple and Android, analyst Tim Sheedy also warns of a possible third challenger: Windows 8. App developers won’t be able to ignore this platform much longer.