Winning?

Android tablets have grabbed 14 percent of tablet market share, according to new research. While Apple’s iPad is still king, with up to 55 percent of third-quarter tablet shipments, tablets running the Google Android system are gaining ground, and fast.

ABI Research found data that shows the iPad losing more of its dominant position to Android competitors, as reported on CNET today. The iPad is showing a decline of 14 percent, the lowest its been since the iPad was introduced two years ago. Samsung, Amazon, and Asus tablets were among the tablet manufacturers that account for that Android increase, with the Google operating system powering over 44 percent of all tablets shipped.

‘Tis the season for deals! We’re fast approaching Black Friday, a dark day in humanity when Americans trample each other in an attempt to score a free Emerson DVD player. I’m certainly not interested in camping out in front of a store, however, I am interested in knowing what kind of deals will be offered on our beloved Android devices.

The Kindle Fire/Fire HD and Nexus 7 have given birth to a small, yet powerful, sub-category of affordable 7-inch tablets. One that has been slowly eating away at a market that has been dominated by the much larger Apple iPad. To battle this growing trend, Apple decided to break down — after vowing to never to make a 7-inch tablet — and create a smaller version of their highly successful iPad line. Apple’s iPad Mini may not be a 7-inch tablet (it’s 7.9-inches), but it’s clear Apple’s intentions are to disrupt the sales of those pesky 7-inch competitors out there who keep chipping away at their market share.

The Nexus 10 is next on our list of Nexus devices announced by Google today. Unlike the smaller Nexus 7 tablet, the Nexus 10 features 10-inches (10.55-inches to be exact) of WQXGA 2560 x 1600 display (300 ppi) goodness. This, of course, increases the price of the device, taking it well out of the sub-$300 tablet category that’s been spoiling us.

Today, Google announced two new Nexus tablets — the Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 — which will go head-to-head with more established competitors like the iPad, the iPad mini and the Kindle Fire HD. But how do they stack up?