iPad makes up half of 3G activations

(Edited for accuracy in AT&T's revenue system) AT&T as part of some additional data touching on its latest results revealed that the iPad is dominating the e-reader market through sheer sales. About 896,000 non-phone 3G devices were activated on AT&T this spring; while the 400,000 to 500,000 iPads were considered prepaid devices and not part of the figure, the ratio left both the Kindle and Nook 3G, along with more specialized devices, to fight for a smaller share. AT&T hasn't broken down the activations by manufacturer or type.

Neither Amazon nor Barnes & Noble has been willing to say how many of their e-readers have shipped, though the two combined would only have sold a few hundred thousand. Until the launch of the Nook Wi-Fi, late last month either company had to activate 3G on every reader they shipped. Amazon had to do the same even for Kindles destined for international sales. It saw a spike in sales with the recent price drop but wouldn't have had time to make up for any deficit.

Apple's hardware is likely to have a higher market share still as the Wi-Fi version of the iPad has usually been the more popular model. Only some customers are actively using the device for reading, but a large number have said that the Apple slate stands in for an e-reader that they might otherwise have bought. [via SAI]

Update: Originally, it was thought the iPad would be considered part of the connected device plan; AT&T considers them prepaid data as it only supplies the SIM card. The article has been updated to reflect the approach.

By Electronista Staff