According to a new report, Tablet computers based on the Android platform have taken away about 20 per cent of the market share from Apple’s iPad in the last 12 months.

The research by ABI Research shows that Android-based tablets are increasing in popularity. The Android ecosystmen has a variety of manufacturers offering their deivces such as Samsung Galaxy Tab and Motorola Xoom as well as the new Acer Iconia Tab A100.

Kevin Burden, vice president of mobile devices for ABI Research said, “If we look at Apple, they want to deliver one form factor. But with Android, manufacturers can differentiate and offer it at lower prices. The value of Android is choice.”

Android market has a variety of tablets available, with different prices and features, attracting different types of customers to the market. Some are drawing parallels to how the Android smartphone grew in the last few years with the now emerging tablet market.