The Google Tablet Cometh

[Nathan Bransford]

Verizon Wireless is working with Google Inc. on a tablet computer, the carrier's chief executive, Lowell McAdam, said Tuesday, as the company endeavors to catch up with iPad host AT&T Inc. in devices that connect to wireless networks.

The work is part of a deepening relationship between the largest U.S. wireless carrier by subscribers and Google, which has carved out a space in mobile devices with its Android operating system. Verizon Wireless last year heavily promoted the Motorola Droid, which runs Google's software.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142 ... 06288.html

An interesting development, and presumably this tablet will either run Android or Google's new operating system. The big question for books is whether Google will try to create an e-reading system that works with their new Google Editions or whether they'll simply let others develop apps. In the former scenario Google could become an even bigger e-book player, but if they have an App system like Apple it could be yet another advantage for Amazon.

[HillaryJ]

If they use the Chrome OS, I'm going to be in Heaven. Must start new jar to collect pennies for the Googablet.

[Pete]

If it's not made by Apple, what's the point. It'll be ugly, inelegant, and have too many buttons. (It'll probably be affordable, though.)

[treeoflife]

Must say I'm a little leery about Google going into hardware. Despite all the cool stuff they've gone into, they still make their money as a search engine. That's what they do best. The tablet PC is a graveyard for much more experienced companies, with only Apple having a whiff of success.

And Apple's got such a good following and reputation, they could've put out an iBrick and still sold a million units.

[HillaryJ]

Must say I'm a little leery about Google going into hardware. Despite all the cool stuff they've gone into, they still make their money as a search engine. That's what they do best. The tablet PC is a graveyard for much more experienced companies, with only Apple having a whiff of success.

And Apple's got such a good following and reputation, they could've put out an iBrick and still sold a million units.

But Google would be partnering for the hardware, similar to the Android venture, right? And that sideshow is doing well. Plus, there's the whole why-don't-state-of-the-art Apple products support Flash issue (at least, this appears to be an issue to my iPhone/iPad wielding friends). I have a Blackberry the size of a Yugo, which I don't know how to use (the device or the Yugo), so I can't really weigh in on whether that's a problem.

[treeoflife]

I think you hit on something Hillary, in regards to the flash issue... as cool as the iPad is, there are certainly some serious gaps in the product. If google can fill some of those gaps, and come in a the right price point, they might have something. They can learn from Apple's mistakes.

I don't doubt they'll find someone who can help them manufacture a product, but will they be able to design something as user friendly as Apple? That's what I'm skeptical about.

[mmcdonald64]

That sounds cool. I wonder what the price will be? Also, I think they should call it the Googlet.