Apple iOS tops Android in reach: Will influx of tablets change the equation?

Apple's iOS has twice the reach of Android when the continuum of mobile devices---tablets, smartphones and mobile media players---are considered, according to comScore.

ComScore's report has a bevy on interesting details embedded in it. However, this reach calculation only serves as a notable benchmark. Since the army of Android tablets hasn't hit the market in full force yet, Apple has the field largely to itself. ComScore's data will be more interesting a few quarters from now---assuming an Android tablet can step up to the iPad plate and be competitive.

Among the key data points via comScore:

• Apple's unduplicated audience reach with its iOS---iPad, iPhone, iPod touch---is 37.9 million users. Apple's iPhone installed base only slightly tops iPod Touches.
• Of Apple's 37.9 million user audience only 4 million access iOS via more than one device.
• Apple has 16.2 percent share of mobile subscribers.
• Android's installed base is 23.8 million across smartphones and tablets---good for a 10.2 percent share of subscribers.
• RIM smartphone customers are the second highest group of iPad owners. That fact represents a challenge and opportunity for the PlayBook. The challenge is that many BlackBerry owners will compare the PlayBook to the iPad---perhaps unfavorably. The good news is that more than 11 percent of BlackBerry owners haven't gone with the iPad. Those users are potential PlayBook owners.

And the demographic look at iPad owners.