Apple’s iPad sold 15.4 million units during the final calendar quarter of 2011, representing a 111-percent year-over-year increase in tablet sales. Android tablets may have gained market share during the same period, but it’s PC makers that should fear that growth.

CES and Macworld are hogging the event spotlight right now, but what about events for developers? Last year’s WWDC sold out quick, and this year’s probably will too, so you may want to plan on alternate conference and training opportunities in 2012. Here’s a list.

The big buzz out of CES on Thursday is that Intel has been “talking” to Apple, among other manufacturers, about using its new line of Medfield chips in upcoming mobile devices. But the discussions are clearly very preliminary, and Apple has good reason to remain aloof.

Apple’s MacBook Air continues to be a hot seller according to the latest sales estimates coming out of Apple’s supply chain. Shipments of the ultra-slim notebook were up to 1.2 million units in the fourth calendar quarter of 2011, up from 1 million the quarter before.

Apple got an early start on outfitting its Mac computers with Intel’s Thunderbolt technology. Now, almost a year later, a rush of accessories at CES indicate this might be the year average users start to get some real benefit from having Thunderbolt on board.

Whether you got an online backup subscription as a holiday gift or just decided it’s time to have your backup offsite, it’s a good idea to keep your data protected, and one that never goes out of style. Here’s the right way to get started.

Maybe you waited a little too long to get a gift for that special someone this year, but would still rather not hit the mall in the few days remaining. Apple has you covered, with free next-day shipping at the online Apple store on its major products.

The Mac App Store is not quite a year old, and it just passed the 100 million download mark, according to Apple. Originally launched in January, the Mac App Store is now the “largest and fastest growing PC software store in the world,” Apple says.

The most recent MacUpdate bundle boasts 11 titles for $49.99, including one of the best diagnostic tools money can buy for your Mac, a terrific email client for power users, and a classic RPG for Mac users with Skyrim envy, just in time for the holidays.

Siri isn’t on the Mac (yet), but that doesn’t mean you can’t use it there, and in a way that should prove a considerable time saver. In combination with Mac launcher software Alfred and iOS app TouchPad, you can easily issue voice commands to your Mac.