A recent ABI Research report found Apple topped the tablet computer market during the third quarter of 2010, recording a 93 percent market share. Of the 4.5 million tablets sold during the third quarter, Apple’s iPad accounted for 4.3 million.

These figures are deceiving, however, as the market for tablets has increased significantly since that time. Many competitors released their tablet devices during the fourth quarter of 2010; the exact sales figures from that time period should give a more accurate description of the current tablet marketplace. Industry experts believe Apple’s market share after the introduction of such other devices as Samsung’s Galaxy Tab decreased to roughly 90 percent.

Currently, the market is even more crowded, with Motorola recently making its Xoom device available and Research In Motion and HP about to release their PlayBook and Touchpad, respectively. However, Apple is also expected to ramp up its presence in the market, recently calling a meeting to announce the iPad 2.

“Over time, Apple’s first-to-market iPad advantage will inevitably erode to some extent,” said Jeff Orr, ABI’s senior practice director. “ABI Research has been tracking media tablets since December 2009; future quarterly editions of this market data product will include market share tracking of all the major media tablet vendors.”

Experts anticipate Apple will still own a majority of the market share in the fourth quarter of 2010, as well as the first quarter of 2011. However, the introduction of these new devices will give Apple its first real competition during the second quarter of this year. A TechieInsider report estimates Apple will still have a market share above 60 percent through the year’s third quarter and above 50 percent during the fourth quarter. Moreover, if recent rumors of Apple’s iPad 3, which report the device will be smaller, are true, the company’s share could jump back above 60 percent and maybe even 70 percent. As the article surmises “Apple has control of [its] own destiny right now.”

The increased competition in the tablet market place has been good news for businesses looking to incorporate the devices into their daily IT functions. More workers have requested to use the technology as part of their daily routine, looking to increase their mobility management when away from their desk or out of the office. Deloitte estimates businesses currently account for 25 percent of all tablet sales as this trend continues.