(Telecompaper) IDC has cut its annual forecast for tablet shipments after weak sales in the first quarter. The market researcher now estimates 245.4 million tablets and two-in-one laptops to ship worldwide this year, down from the previous forecast of 260.9 million units. The new forecast represents a 12.1 percent year-over-year growth rate, notably lower than the 51.8 percent annual growth in 2013. IDC said the slower market was due to consumers holding on to their tablets, especially high-end models, longer than expected. When they do buy a new one, they often give their old model to a family member. Second, the rise of phablets smartphones with 5.5-inch and larger screens are causing many people to second-guess tablet purchases as the larger screens on these phones are often adequate for tasks once reserved for tablets. In the past year, the phablet share of smartphone shipments has more than doubled, from 4.3 percent in the first quarter of 2013 to 10.5 percent in the first quarter of this year, representing 30.1 million units shipped. To offset the phablet trend, IDC expects tablet makers to start focusing more on larger-screen devices, such as Microsoft's new Surface.