Google Tablet Rivals iPad with Cloud, Open Source

It's rumored that Google is close to launching its own rival for the Apple iPad tablet device. Google's tablet computer will reportedly blend an e-reader with the multi-functional and very popular Android operating system (OS).

Google Opts For Android Operating System

The choice of operating system is certainly a surprising one, given that Google has been pushing its own Chrome OS, due sometime this year.

The reason the Chrome OS won't be a part of Google's tablet is actually pretty simple: Chrome will be extremely slim, offering only minimal software support and the Chrome Internet browser. Google's decision to keep the Chrome OS away from its upcoming tablet means they hope the device will have few limits on the applications available. (Source: wired.com)

For its part, Android has the ability to support many different features -- enough, it would appear, to compete directly with Apple's iPad. Android is compatible with touchscreen devices, too.

Features for the Google tablet, which hasn't yet been given a formal name, are rumored to include Android Marketplace for apps, Google Books, Google Reader, and Google Voice, an option that is expected to soon offer desktop Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).

Cloud Computing, Open Source Big Advantages

Google's big advantages in this market are its commitment to: a) cloud computing and b) an open source platform, allowing just about anyone to develop software for its tablet and similar devices. In contrast, to Apple uses a comparably closed system of development.

All of these features could catapult Google far ahead, even with Apple's early success with the iPad. And its device might not be too far off, either: according to a report from the New York Times, the "e-reader that would function like a computer" is so close to release that Google CEO Eric Schmidt is rumored to have described the device at "a recent party in Los Angeles." (Source: wired.com)

Google is not the first company to emerge with intentions of taking down the iPad. Last week, wireless goliath Nokia announced it would release a tablet running Windows 7. (Source: unwiredview.com)