Could Google Inc (GOOG) Rise To Top Of This Market?

There is no denying the fact that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) and its iPad lineup of tablets is the cream of the crop. Cupertino knows a thing or two about the tablet market, and has been able to deliver devices to consumers from one side of the globe to the next.

But Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) is lurking. With its Android operating system, the search engine giant continues to put heat on Apple with hopes of overtaking the top spot at some point in the near future.

According to market intelligence firm ABI Research, the “Android ecosystem is poised to overtake iOS” despite the fact that Apple has been able to hold onto “50% share of all tablet shipments” through the first calendar quarter of 2013.

This may be hard for some people to believe, but ABI goes on to explain how Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) is closing the gap and why it will eventually overtake iOS.

Above all else, Google needs to focus its efforts on China. While consumers in this country have fallen in love with Apple products, it is important to note that seven inch Android tablets are picking up a lot of steam. The main reason for this: they are priced much lower than the iPad, at $200 or less.

Here is what senior practice director Jeff Orr had to say:

“It’s inevitable that Android tablets will overtake iOS-powered slates, though we see no single vendor challenging Apple’s dominance anytime soon. With media tablets commercially available for more than 4 years, momentum is shifting toward value and affordability, putting tablets in more of the population’s reach.”

If nothing else, we know that Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) Android tablets are able to be priced lower than those from Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL). While there has not been any talk of a cheaper tablet from Cupertino, the company is reportedly considering a lower cost iPhone. Could a tablet be next, especially if Google passes it by?

The fact that Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) is moving forward in the tablet market and is poised to pass by Apple iOS should not be that big of a surprise. Even though this is something that Apple will be keeping a close eye on, as Orr noted, “we see no single vendor challenging Apple’s dominance anytime soon.”

The battle between Google Android and Apple iOS in the tablet market is going to be a fun one to watch.

What do you think about this story? Is Apple in trouble or are these numbers blown out of proportion? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.