Reports about the upcoming Google tablet have increased in recent months with some reports claiming that it is set to go up against the Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) Kindle Fire. Other reports have also hinted at a seven-inch device with a price tag range from $149 up to $199. This price tag will make the upcoming Google tablet a direct competitor with the Amazon Kindle Fire.
Google will reportedly work with Asus (TPE:2357) in the introduction of the reasonably-priced Android tablet. Reports have hinted at a possible third quarter launch of the upcoming tablet from Asus.
Reports have also indicated that the tablets may also carry the ‘Google’ brand with Samsung and Asus providing the hardware needed for the device. Aside from the Google tablet, the reported online store of Google will also carry other brands of tablets particularly that of Samsung and Asus.
Speculations have also emerged indicating that the Google tablet will use the latest version of the Android OS, the reported Jelly Bean Android, which is expected to be released in the later part of summer. This speculated strategy for the upcoming Google tablet is similar to the one used on the Nexus One, which was produced in 2010. However some months it was scrapped since the market may have not been ready for an unsubsidized device among consumers who were used to reasonably-priced devices that came with the typical two-year contract.
With the reports on the online store of Google that will sell the upcoming Google tablet, some industry watchers have speculated on the possibility that the company may be working on competing with Amazon, which also sells the Amazon Kindle Fire online. But the scheduled launch date of the online store has yet to be announced by Google, which has not made any statements in connection to the reports.
