http://i2.cdn.turner.com/money/dam/assets/130131065017-tablets-ipad-kindle-monster.jpg

Android-based devices like the Kindle Fire (right) are eating into the iPad's market share.

IDC issued a preliminary report on global tablet shipments across the world revealing that we've hit a long-expected milestone: Android tablets seem to be outpacing the iPad.

IDC's fourth-quarter estimates show the overall tablet market expanding rapidly, and Android is grabbing a large chunk of that growth. Apple (AAPL, Fortune 500) tablets -- which include the retina iPad and iPad mini -- dropped below 50% market share for the first time.

Apple's fourth-quarter share of shipments came to 43.6%. It's still the top vendor by a mile, but the the combined market share of Android tablets -- coming from Amazon (AMZN, Fortune 500), Asus and Samsung, among others -- easily topped 50%.

Microsoft (MSFT, Fortune 500) shipped 900,000 Surface tablets last quarter by IDC's estimate, representing 1.7% of the total market. IDC estimates Amazon's Kindle shipments at 6 million, making up 11.5% of the market. Amazon and Microsoft have not publicly commented on their tablet sales figures.

Apple held over 90% of the tablet market share as recently as 2011, largely because Google (GOOG, Fortune 500) had not yet widely distributed its tablet-optimized version of Android.

Amazon released the Kindle Fire -- which uses a heavily customized Android build -- in late 2011. After that, it was only a matter of time before Apple's dominance slipped.

The iPad is still the single bestselling tablet, and the most influential. But because Google allows anyone to make and sell an Android device, the range of Android tablets is much larger -- and they're often cheaper than Apple's offerings.

This is the exact same cycle the smartphone market went through over the last five years. In that field, Apple has been content to concede some of its market share to protect its margins.

We'll see if the tablet market shakes out the same way.

Who didn't see that coming?

Once Google had an actual tablet OS coupled with solid hardware at reasonable prices, its obvious it would surpass Apple. Just like what happened when Android on phones became a solid OS. (~v2.0)

Now, just like smartphones (Samsung), in another year or so a single or two Android tablet makers will directly beat Apple on their own.

I dont know if it was obvious, but Apple has by far gotten the most prestiget and buzz for its tablet, yet it still has gradually declined ever since the first android tablets have came out.

The picture of the Ipad sums of apple right there.

Every device they have is just that boring row of icons.

Seriously if Apple wants to remain relevant they need to come out with a new iOS soon.

yeah even a minor twitch fanboys will always think its.... "innovative"

i remember people in the office talking about iphone5 having 5 Rows!!!!! 5 ROWS!!!!!!

That's because just about every other tablet interface out now is better, deeper and more interesting than iOS.

Apple has the problem the other manufacturers use the stuff apple is usually stealing from them to sell their own stuff now.

Of course the market is expanding heavy - Tablets are still in a somehow childstage and grow with every year but Apple will be left behind.
We know Apple didn't do something on their own since the mid 80s when Wozniak left.
Android is far superior and Samsung and co have far better innovations and price politics.

@your Sig
The PS2 only stopped getting produced a few months ago.Guess what?The PS3 will reach its 10 year or even more lifecycle the same way.
They could release the PS5 2 days after the PS4 and produce both for the next 20 years > 20 year lifecycle.

The situation in the home computer market in the 80's / 90's is not comparable to Apple's situation in the phone and tablet market these days. Apple had one successful home computer which was the Apple II. The Macintosh - despite being considered revolutionary at the time - did not set the world on fire with its sales and the Apple II remained Apple's only successful home computer for years.

In the phone and tablet markets each of Apple's products has been a success and their total sales are increasing dramatically each year. I'm pretty sure if by 2020 Apple sells 500m iOS devices per year they won't give a shit about marketshare and I'm sure their huge cash reserves will help them survive, say... the next 50 years.

And PS3 can't stay alive until 2017 or more? I don't get your point.

OP. The Apple increased the iPad sales with a huge grow last year but of couse with more players in the market they will loose makert share... that's obvious.

There is nothing wrong in Kaz comment... Microsoft never had a longevity system and 360 is the first... the PS3 will live for more than 10 years.