Apple Inc. (AAPL) Still Leads Google Inc (GOOG): IDC

When it comes to tablet shipments, most reports come across as a broken record. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPad comes out on top, and others, such as Samsung tablets powered by Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) Android, are coming in second.

A change may be coming in the future, but for now, at least according to data from IDC, Cupertino, led by Tim Cook and Jony Ive, remain at the top of the market.

Although Apple continues to dominate, it is important to note an overall slowdown during the second quarter of 2013.

IDC noted that “total volumes fell 9.7 percent from1Q13.” Despite the decline from the first quarter, when compared to the same period of 2012 the market saw an increase of roughly 60 percent.

In other words, the tablet market continues to grow even though the second quarter was a bit slower than expected.

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL): Strong Second Half in Store?

Let’s face it: Apple always performs better when it pushes a new product to market. This is when people really get excited, spurring them to spend money and boost sales.

If Cupertino is going to do big things during the second half of 2013, it will be the next generation full-size and mini iPad that makes this happen.

Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) has never been as successful in the tablet market as it is in the smartphone space. That being said, Samsung still shipped 8.1 million units during the second quarter. This has to be good news for Larry Page, Sundar Pichai, and company.

It may not be their brand, but it is their operating system.

Tom Mainelli, Research Director, Tablets at IDC, feels that a new iPad launch will pique consumer interest. He also believes this will improve sales for Cupertino, as well as its competition.

On a related note, Ryan Reith, Program Manager for IDC’s Mobility Tracker programs, added that outside of Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL), vendors are still trying to figure out what will work best for them. In an overall sense, Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) Android has been more successful than other operating systems (not including iOS).

The fact that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is leading the tablet market should not be a surprise. Samsung is sitting in second, thanks to its reliance on the Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) operating system.

If Apple has success with its next generation tablets, look for the market to take a leap and investors such as David Einhorn and Jeffrey Edwards to get excited.

Check out this video for more on the Apple iPad:

Disclosure: none