Ever since the release of the Nexus 7, analysts have wondered what impact, if any, it would have on Android tablets’ market share battle with the iPad. The possible release of the iPad Mini, later this year, could throw another wrench into the works. Fortunately, we have already seen an Android vs. Apple battle in the smartphone market. Let’s take a look at the parallels we can draw between the smartphone and tablet market and project the possible market share trends in the tablet market.

To say Apple is no ordinary company is a gross understatement. With a market capitalization (the total value of its stock) hovering around $573 billion, it’s now the world’s most valuable company. But even before it acquired that rare distinction, it was special in many ways, especially the way it introduces products and the way the public and the media react to those products.

Apple’s third-generation iPad tablet has been well-received by the masses. Reviews have been overwhelmingly positive, and Apple announced last week that it sold more than 3 million new iPads during the slate’s debut weekend.

Microsoft has detailed Windows 8′s minimum screen resolutions. The upcoming operating system will battle the iPad for tablet supremacy.

Netflix is the latest big-name app to get the Retina-treatment for the new iPad. In addition to higher-quality images throughout the app, Netflix says that version 2.1.1 has fixes for VoiceOver, AirPlay, and stability. What Netflix doesn’t say but is readily apparent after you load the update is that it seems faster overall. Netflix’s official Twitter account brings better news: proper HD video streaming is “to follow later.” That’s one way to get to the limit of your LTE plan, we suppose.

Apps, games and e-books may look great on the new iPad’s high-resolution “retina” display, but it’s unclear whether Web sites will get the same treatment.