Google Reportedly Prepping Android-Based iPad Challenger

[MacRumors]

In a report on forthcoming challengers looking to rival Apple's iPad, The New York Times notes that Google is reportedly preparing to launch its own Android-based entrant into the field as Nokia, HP and Microsoft also move forward on their own plans for devices in the emerging industry segment.

Eric E. Schmidt, chief executive of Google, told friends at a recent party in Los Angeles about the new device, which would exclusively run the Android operating system. People with direct knowledge of the project -- who did not want to be named because they said they were unauthorized to speak publicly about the device -- said the company had been experimenting in "stealth mode" with a few publishers to explore delivery of books, magazines and other content on a tablet.

After reportedly holding back to see what Apple would do with the iPad, competitors such as HP and others have been hard at work developing their own answers to Apple's challenge.

The rivalry between Apple and Google has become increasingly personal as the two companies have begun to compete in a growing number of areas. Google's Android operating system has been a fast-growing alternative to the iPhone in the smartphone market, with Apple signaling that it is taking the threat seriously by filing a patent infringement lawsuit against handset maker HTC in what has been seen as an indirect assault on Google's smartphone offerings.

While an unsurprising development given Google's and Apple's increasing overlap, a Google tablet would offer yet another area of direct competition between the two companies and likely escalate tensions even further.

Article Link: Google Reportedly Prepping Android-Based iPad Challenger

 

[miles01110]

Google copying Apple. Why is this news?

It'd be refreshing to see Google actually doing something other people aren't doing. I guess that would be sooo 2004.

 

[striatedglutes]

Do you think they will control their hardware tech specs (graphics capability and screen resolution) and unify their software versions across devices this time?

 

[Peace]

News Flash !! Google is out to do whatever it can to bring down Apple,Inc.

This isn't news. It's a disgrace.

 

[manhattanboy]

The more competition the better.
And it better include flash for free hulu streaming!!!!!

 

[uberamd]

Screw Android tablets. The existing ones look like they just took Android and stretched the UI without adding any extra benefits. And lets be realistic, the Android applications suck in both usability and quality compared to the iPhone equivalents. Android is good on paper, but it is clunky and really just overrated. And I own a Nexus One, so that says something coming from a person who spent $550 on a phone.

 

[Kiwi Jones]

Great... now when Google comes out with something good Apples gonna switch more focus onto the iPad to make it bigger and better! I want my MBP! =[

 

[rstansby]

More competition the better.
And is better include flash for free hulu streaming!!!!!

If Hulu is still using Flash by the time this device is released.

 

[camnchar]

The problem with Google is that, at least in regards to Apple, it has become more and more like Microsoft: always chasing and never leading. When Google (and everyone else) wakes up and starts innovating instead of reacting to every move Apple makes, they might have a shot at dethroning Apple's mindshare. As it is now, they're always shooting at a target that's already moved on.

 

[Robert M.]

This is interesting! The specs on the Hp Slate are great but Windows 7 on a touchscreen sounds terrifying haha! I think an Android tablet will be cool!

Hopefully Google makes something that will force Apple to improve next years iPad!

 

[manhattanboy]

Google copying Apple. Why is this news?

It'd be refreshing to see Google actually doing something other people aren't doing. I guess that would be sooo 2004.

I agree about the originality... making an android tablet is like copying Dell.
What happened to the Chrome OS tablet; that'd be more original

 

[zombitronic]

Personal computer market = small
Apple releases a personal computer
More competitors release personal computers
Personal computer market = large

Digital music player market = small
Apple releases a digital music player
More competitors release digital music players
Digital music player market = large

Touchscreen phone market = small
Apple releases a touchscreen phone
More competitors release touchscreen phones
Touchscreen phone market = large

Tablet computer market = small
Apple releases a tablet computer
More competitors release tablet computers
Tablet computer market = ???

This is to be expected by now. While you can't give Apple credit for completely creating these markets, it's hard to deny that they were there before the markets took off.

 

[Twenty5]

No matter what you Google lovers believe in, I think that Google is moving too fast.

Not a good thing IMO.

 

[jo0]

at least there is some kind of competition...even if its not very good. its something....

 

[*LTD*]

Well they certainly have something to work off of.

 

[giosaccone]

By the time I understand why google search is missing in iPhone4's Safari.......

 

[Hmac]

Big surprise!

It's an obvious move, and a smart one for Google. Apple has been imitated and copied over and over for decades. This is nothing new and was utterly predictable.

Does put the pressure on Apple to broaden their cell-phone carrier base though.

 

[ipedro]

I missed the days when Google was associated with Search and you could believe their motto "Don't be evil".

That said, it's becoming clear that the death of the desktop OS will be swift. In 2 years, most new personal computers will be tablets, leaving desktop OS's for people seeking to do more complex work.

 

[TMay]

The more competition the better.
And it better include flash for free hulu streaming!!!!!

Uhm, Hulu is already working on an HTML5 container.

 

[Small White Car]

Good.

We tried doing the first quarter-century of home computing with 1 big monopoly OS. It wasn't a great idea.

I want the next quarter-century to have 3 or 4 options. (2 at the very least.) If no one challenges the iPad or the iPod Touch then Apple WILL become the next monopoly. It doesn't matter how nice the new Blackberry or Android phone is if the iPad is your only choice for large-form devices.

I don't expect this Google-pad to be as good as the iPad. But it doesn't have to be. It just needs to be good enough to survive.

 

[SBlue1]

why the hate?

competition ist good. who cares who was first, its about who is better. by the way, apple was not first at all... just google for dynabook.

i looove competition. it lets the consumers decide what they like more. so it forces companies to rethink their strategies if they see some other products are better and steal some precious marketshare.

 

[TheOrioles33]

Personal computer market = small
Apple releases a personal computer
More competitors release personal computers
Personal computer market = large

Digital music player market = small
Apple releases a digital music player
More competitors release digital music players
Digital music player market = large

Touchscreen phone market = small
Apple releases a touchscreen phone
More competitors release touchscreen phones
Touchscreen phone market = large

Tablet computer market = small
Apple releases a tablet computer
More competitors release tablet computers
Tablet computer market = ???

This is to be expected by now. While you can't give Apple credit for completely creating these markets, it's hard to deny that they were there before the markets took off.

Whether you're an Apple fan or not, the above is absolutely true.

 

[GFLPraxis]

Seems kind of me-too-ish.

Regardless, competition can do nothing but force Apple to improve the iPad.

 

[Stella]

Cool! Looking forward to these devices.

For those people who want to install any software they want, develop what software they want for, this could be an alternative to jail breaking, and existing tablet devices out there.

 

[manhattanboy]

POT-of-Stuff

The problem with Google is that, at least in regards to Apple, it has become more and more like Microsoft: always chasing and never leading. When Google (and everyone else) wakes up and starts innovating instead of reacting to every move Apple makes, they might have a shot at dethroning Apple's mindshare. As it is now, they're always shooting at a target that's already moved on.

Let's not forget that Apple has made its success by improving on other's ideas... take the iPod for example! As long as Google can make a better product than anyone, it doesn't matter if its original. (Think about you buying a car...would you but the reverse 3 wheeler that's out on the market--and is clearly innovative--or simply the "best" one?)

Droid blows

I don't own a droid so I can't say. But after using Android 2.1 for some time now I actually quite like it. It would clearly surpass iPhone IF Google would create a decent media player for the damn thing AND make a decent iTunes alternative. (YOU HEAR ME GOOGLE??!)

This is interesting! The specs on the Hp Slate are great but Windows 7 on a touchscreen sounds terrifying haha! I think an Android tablet will be cool!

Hopefully Google makes something that will force Apple to improve next years iPad!

Google has kinda been doing that for Android. Hence their G1 phone. I think they may release a G1 tablet to help spur manufacturers to make better ones.