The release of the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 and the Nexus 7 was expected to make some waves in the tablet world, but not exactly do as well as it has. 

New data shows that Android tablets have actually surpassed Apple's iPad in sales. With this switch, some project that regardless of how good the iPad 5 and iPad mini 2 are, there may be no turning back from Apple previous dominance.

Galaxy Note 10.1 and the Nexus 7, made some major gains against Apple's iPad during the first quarter of 2013, but that Apple maintained a lead.
IDC research firm has revealed its new data and states that Android slates had overtaken Apple's iPad share for the first time.

According to IDC, Apple shipped 19.5 million iPad units during the first quarter of 2013. While that is more than double its nearest competitor Samsung, Android tablets combined for a total of 27.8 million shipments. That brings iOS' market share down to 39.6 percent, compared to 58.1 percent last year. Android, meanwhile, accounted for 56.5 percent of the market.

Apple's iPad is still by far the most popular tablet, and most likely the iPad 5 and iPad mini 2 will continue that trend, but with more competition and more products coming from the Android line it's not a surprise to see that OS pull ahead.

Apple still has room to grow despite the percentages, though. Cupertino actually shipped more iPads than IDC expected, so if the iPad 5 and iPad mini 2 can boost demand, which is expected, then Apple will still be in a very healthy position.

Microsoft sold about 900,000 Surface units, for about 1.8 percent of the market, while Windows 8 tablets in general combined for about 1.8 million sales.

Many people as well are holding off on getting a new iPad in the first quarter of this year while waiting for the new iPad 5 and iPad Mini 2 to come out, which will increase Apple sales even more towards the last quarter of this year.  

Which device is your favorite?