Android dethrones Apple's iPad series as the platform strengthened its dominance in the tablet market. According to a report last April 28, the Android platform has been posting tablet sales and market share far better than Apple's iPad. The iPad series has been one of the best selling devices in the market for years. 

According to Strategy Analytics, Android accounted for 65.8% of tablet sales worldwide in Q1 of 2014. This is significant leap from the 53% in the 2013. Apple's iPad sales suffered a slump as the company's tablet market share dropped to 28.4% from 40.3% in the previous year. 

Tablet sales across the globe increased to 57.6 million units or 19% from the past year. 

"Android continues to make steady progress and now commands two-thirds of the tablet market share," Peter King, analyst at Strategy Analytics, explained. 

Although Apple gave life to the tablet market through the iPads, it failed to maintain dominance as Android competitors came into the scene. The company lost its grip over the top spot in the same way other smartphone products challenged the position of iPhone in the market. 

The report also indicated the iPad sales suffered 16% decline from the previous year. 

"We believe that the disappointing performance in the early part of the calendar year is because Apple has changed its product release cycle to the holiday timeframe," King said. 

Kind also noted: "Apple will likely lose share over the next several months to refreshed Android products, but we believe Apple will win back meaningful high-end market share during the final months of the calendar year". 

Android sold 38 million units across the globe compared to the 25.6 million sold under Apple. Microsoft has also steady market shares. 

"There may be an uptick in Windows following Microsoft's decision to offer Windows for free for sub nine-inch devices," the company said. 

"We may see a new batch of eight-inch Windows-based tablets with reduced prices; they will still not be as inexpensive as Android, but it will enable them to be more competitive and appealing to a wider audience." 

https://www.news24.com/Technology/News/Apple-takes-a-hit-as-Android-beats-iPad-20140428

https://gadgets.ndtv.com/tablets/news/android-grabs-658-percent-share-of-global-tablet-market-in-q1-survey-515512