Just weeks after launching an iPhone competitor in the form of the Nexus One, Google looks set to tramp on Apple’s toes again with its own tablet computer to rival the iPad.
Google has released a user interface design of what its own tablet could look like on its open source Chromium Projects site.
Google's conceptual images for what a Chrome OS-based tablet computer were actually released before the Apple iPad announcement, but were swept under the carpet somewhat by the Apple publicity machine.
Google said that a Chrome OS tablet would have a 5 to 10 inch screen with the UI adjusted for larger touch targets.
The proposed tablet would also include a screen-based virtual keyboard, and an integrated media player running in the Chrome Web browser and OS.
While this functionality sounds very similar to what you could do on an Apple iPad, Google's Chrome device will be open source, allowing developers to create apps and other software possibilities that Apple's proprietary hardware won't allow. By releasing an open source tablet, Google are hitting Apple where its most vulnerable.
“Initial explorations have maintained the same basic chrome layout, but enlarged the controls," Google said in a post.
"Icons could be placed above tabs to provide larger, square targets. Panels would be placed along the bottom edge and could be opened with upward dragging motions.”
While Google’s tablet is all speculation (taking a leaf out of Apple’s book perhaps?), its Chrome OS is due to appear on netbooks by the end of the year.
Would you choose a Google tablet or has the sleek lines of the iPad won your heart? Leave us a comment and let us know.
Via Zath
6 thoughts on “Google’s Tablet, the gPad: Google’s Answer to the Apple iPad”
I like google alot but i have a number of apple products and they never fail to do everything thing with elegance and effectivness. I am for the apple Ipad all the way, google will maybe be able to make something similar but i doublt that it will be anywhere near the same quality, beauty and effectivity.
Thanks again
I’m a huge Google fan and use all of their products daily. What I don’t see is how a Google tablet will compete. It’s probably too early to speculate but won’t all of the Google “web-based” apps that I currently use already be available on the iPad. How will the gPad distinguish itself without a unique set of local applications. I’ve used many of the linux distributions and while they are good, they’re not as polished as Apple applications.
It get the cloud-based advantages but Google doesn’t have the benefit of years of catering to computer users. It has no history of manufacturing anything. There could be a Google tablet but I’m guessing it will be in 2-3 years, but no sooner. They have a long way to go or more money to make in the cell phone market.
But what do I know….. Competition is great.
2-3 years to market is too long and Google knows it. It is far more likely they will have something on the shelves within 12 months…….and don’t forget Microsoft and their Courier!
I am happy to finally see competition and not everything Microsoft, which ever OS or device we will go for, main thing to give a chance to other vendors to go ahead by supporting them.
I like very much tablet.
wow….. google table vary cool.