Apple's iPad Owns Tablet Market...But Not For Long
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Apple's iPad reign over the tablet market isn't as strong as it used to be — and Google is to blame, according to ABI Research.
While the iPad continued to beat out competitors for the most tablets shipped last quarter, its lead is dwindling.
Apple made up 55 percent of all tablets shipped in the third quarter — a 14 percent decrease from the previous quarter — making it the lowest share the company has had since it launched the iPad in 2010, according to ABI.
Google's Android operating system is the biggest threat to Apple's tablet dominance. Android tablets — which include those from Amazon, Google, Asus and Samsung — eeled in more than 44 percent of tablet shipments in the third quarter, according to the research. (Read More: Apple Running Out of New Markets for iPhone, iPad: Pro )
Google's Android OS has already overthrown Apple's iOS in the smartphone market and it will eventually overtake Apple in the tablet realm as well, said Jeff Orr, ABI senior practice director.
"I do expect that it will occur. The question is when," Orr said. "I would say that we won't see it this quarter, it's not going to happen at the end of the year. ... If everything holds true to the way markets mature, there will be no switch over until the second or third quarter."
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