Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has been leading the tablet charge since launching its first iPad in 2010. Since then, many things have changed in this market with a variety of newcomers looking to grab market share.
As 2013 comes to an end, the installed base of big brand tablets is expected to move past 285 million units. This includes Apple tablets, as well as those from other top players such as Samsung and Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT).
According to data from ABI Research, the United States continues to be the largest tablet market in the world, representing roughly 70 million devices.
Despite the fact that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) and its iPad continue to hold onto a large portion of the market, ABI senior practice director Jeff Orr noted that this is not as pronounced as it once was. He said, “Apple’s early tablet lead is not as evident three years into the market’s boom.”
Orr went on to note that he believes that 51 percent of the installed base is running on iOS with Android holding onto 40 percent of the market. Of course, this only leaves nine percent for the rest of the players, such as Windows.
Should Apple be Worried about Android?
There is no denying the fact that Android based tablets, much the same as smartphones, are beginning to pick up steam. Furthermore, Samsung is the company to keep an eye on. They experienced 20 percent growth in the Android tablet segment during the third quarter of 2013. It will be interesting to see if Samsung is able to keep the same momentum throughout the fourth quarter, giving it a nice launching pad into the new year.
Things at Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) continue to look up, thanks to the launch of the second generation iPad mini devices as well as the iPad Air. Orr went on to note that Apple is having a top stellar fourth quarter of 2013, due in large part to the fact that it is in position to satisfy a larger consumer base.
Big brand tablets are in good position as 2013 turns over and 2014 starts off with a bang. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) tablets are leading the pack, with Android devices, particularly those from Samsung, making a major move.
As we work our way deep into 2014, keep an eye on whether or not Android tablets are able to close the gap on iOS devices.
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Tags: ABI Research, android, Apple Inc (AAPL), ios, iPad Air, iPad mini, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), NASDAQ:AAPL, Samsung