Google to introduce low-priced Android tablet in 'coming weeks'
On the heels of the unveiling of the Microsoft Surface tablet, Google is reportedly planning to take another stab at Apple's iPad with a new, low-cost Android tablet the company is expected to introduce in the near future.
The new Android tablet will be unveiled in the "coming weeks," according to The Wall Street Journal. Citing "people familiar with the matter," the report said that the new inexpensive Android tablet has been co-developed by Google and Asustek Computer.
Google's production of its own tablet is seen as an attempt by the company to take control of its Android platform and cut down on fragmentation. The report noted that many Android devices still run older versions of Google's mobile operating system, and are held back by third-party hardware makers.
The report also said that Google has "accelerated plans" to launch a competitor to Apple's voice-driven personal assistant, Siri, currently found on the iPhone 4S and coming to the third-generation iPad with the launch of iOS 6. Further details on Google's Siri competitor were not given.
Rumors that Google and Asus have partnered to build a new tablet first cropped up in March. At the time it was said the device could be priced between $199 and $249.
Last year, Asus launched its own Transformer Prime tablet, which aimed to offer the functionality of both a touchscreen tablet as well as a traditional laptop. While the hybrid device garnered some buzz, it failed to compete with Apple's market-leading iPad.
This week's report suggests that the launch of the low-priced tablet from Google and Asus is imminent. It also comes as rumors of a so-called "iPad mini" with a 7.85-inch display and 1,024-by-768-pixel display persist, with some reports claiming Apple could launch such a device as early as this September.
Microsoft also hopes to make a splash in the tablet market later this year when it launches its own line of ARM- and Intel-based hardware branded as Surface. New devices running Windows RT were unveiled by the company on Monday and are scheduled to launch later this year, while Intel-based Surface tablets running Windows 8 are expected to launch a few months later.
The new Android tablet will be unveiled in the "coming weeks," according to The Wall Street Journal. Citing "people familiar with the matter," the report said that the new inexpensive Android tablet has been co-developed by Google and Asustek Computer.
Google's production of its own tablet is seen as an attempt by the company to take control of its Android platform and cut down on fragmentation. The report noted that many Android devices still run older versions of Google's mobile operating system, and are held back by third-party hardware makers.
The report also said that Google has "accelerated plans" to launch a competitor to Apple's voice-driven personal assistant, Siri, currently found on the iPhone 4S and coming to the third-generation iPad with the launch of iOS 6. Further details on Google's Siri competitor were not given.
Rumors that Google and Asus have partnered to build a new tablet first cropped up in March. At the time it was said the device could be priced between $199 and $249.
Last year, Asus launched its own Transformer Prime tablet, which aimed to offer the functionality of both a touchscreen tablet as well as a traditional laptop. While the hybrid device garnered some buzz, it failed to compete with Apple's market-leading iPad.
This week's report suggests that the launch of the low-priced tablet from Google and Asus is imminent. It also comes as rumors of a so-called "iPad mini" with a 7.85-inch display and 1,024-by-768-pixel display persist, with some reports claiming Apple could launch such a device as early as this September.
Microsoft also hopes to make a splash in the tablet market later this year when it launches its own line of ARM- and Intel-based hardware branded as Surface. New devices running Windows RT were unveiled by the company on Monday and are scheduled to launch later this year, while Intel-based Surface tablets running Windows 8 are expected to launch a few months later.
Comments
Wait- so what is Motorola? Chopped liver?
If you want a low cost tablet... grab a refurbished iPad 2 from Apple.
No. But the point here is that the OS maker is making the hardware, so the two can be developed together and thus hopefully better.
Right now the OEMs have to basically port Android to their flavor and that takes time, especially since many of them have to do it several times to support each model and generation, which is why they don't do it.
The catch is that they are doing this after the fact and the faith, at least for Android, make all ready be totally lost.
Only took them 35 years to learn that.
So by Christmas we will have three good regular tablets (the iPad, the Surface, and the new GooglePad) and one "Pro" tablet (the Surface).
This is a gadget-lover's dream!
Expect another rotten Android tablet dairy product that will be unavailable to the majority of existing Android tablets in the market.
In the process they will be canibalizing sales of their hardware partners. It is everyone for themselves at this point. If you don't own an OS, you are screwed. Google has really done a 180 since their "do no evil" days.
LOL here we go again.
A. "Low priced"
Meaning:
1. no retina display ?
2. smaller display ?
3. standard battery with shorter life?
4. Heavier?
5. Clunkier looking?
B. Distribution channels
Google stores?
Carrier stores?
Worst Buy?
Online?
C. Apps
Standard Android quality? Or better?
Complete with malware?
Quote:
Originally Posted by cronked
In the process they will be canibalizing sales of their hardware partners. It is everyone for themselves at this point. If you don't own an OS, you are screwed. Google has really done a 180 since their "do no evil" days.
Android is like freelancing in NYC - if you can survive you feel you done something - you compete, even against the bosses kid. Samsung has gone after SONY and Apple - they not going to be afraid of Asus. Sharp and Frog Design have their own thing going with Android that not sure even Google can match.
that "everyone for themselves" is what is making it this exciting right now.
Like our landfills and desk drawers aren't full enough already...
Quote:
Originally Posted by zbarsky
Expect another rotten Android tablet dairy product that will be unavailable to the majority of existing Android tablets in the market.
for 200 dollars who cares? i will get one.
every OEM in the world can read the handwriting on the wall today: see ya later, dudes!
within two years Google will stop pretending and push Motorola tablets only. ditto MS with its own Windows brand. any OEM without its own in-house OS will be out of the tablet game, permanently. only Samsung has already figured this out. HP totally missed it and threw WebOS away. Nokia sold its soul to MS and threw MeeGo away. Sony has never had a clue anyway. and Asus, HTC, et al. are just drifting, looking for a miracle.
the smart guy is the one that scoops up RIM cheap, just to get QNX.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JerrySwitched26
So by Christmas we will have three good regular tablets (the iPad, the Surface, and the new GooglePad) and one "Pro" tablet (the Surface).
This is a gadget-lover's dream!
Define 'Pro' for me.
If you mean an underpowered machine (by necessity if this is to truly be a portable device) with an OS mangled to keep supporting (once again) legacy applications designed for much more powerful hardware, then I guess you'll consider Intel Win8 machines 'Pro'.
But I think they're going to more resemble RefrigaToasters than 'Pro' machines.
The right tool for the job.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tallest Skil
Only took them 35 years to learn that.
Exactly.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alfiejr
every OEM in the world can read the handwriting on the wall today: see ya later, dudes!
within two years Google will stop pretending and push Motorola tablets only. ditto MS with its own Windows brand. any OEM without its own in-house OS will be out of the tablet game, permanently. only Samsung has already figured this out. HP totally missed it and threw WebOS away. Nokia sold its soul to MS and threw MeeGo away. Sony has never had a clue anyway. and Asus, HTC, et al. are just drifting, looking for a miracle.
the smart guy is the one that scoops up RIM cheap, just to get QNX.
You nailed it.
This is why I think Apple will introduce a smaller iPad that costs less. You aren't going to buy a Kindle Fire or whatever Google comes up with if you could spend $50 to $100 more and get an iPad.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alfiejr
every OEM in the world can read the handwriting on the wall today: see ya later, dudes!
within two years Google will stop pretending and push Motorola tablets only. ditto MS with its own Windows brand. any OEM without its own in-house OS will be out of the tablet game, permanently. only Samsung has already figured this out. HP totally missed it and threw WebOS away. Nokia sold its soul to MS and threw MeeGo away. Sony has never had a clue anyway. and Asus, HTC, et al. are just drifting, looking for a miracle.
the smart guy is the one that scoops up RIM cheap, just to get QNX.
This is Microsoft giving HP the big middle finger for planning to go to Web OS. Web OS could have been a game changer in better hands.