Gizmodo is reporting a New York Times article that"s got some juicy tablet gossip for all you iPad crazed folk. Google CEO, Eric Schmidt, is said to have spilled the beans on Google"s rumored tablet device. Interestingly, the device will not run Chrome OS, as previously thought. Schmidt told some friends of his that the tablet will run the Android operating system.
It"s unclear why Android will be the OS used. Previously leaked video and images show Google"s concept device running Chrome OS. It"s possible that the new web based OS is not yet ready for public consumption, leaving Android as the sole option if Google plans to make it to market this year.
Another reason for using Android could be the need to compete with the iPad. Since Apple has tied their tablet device into their lucrative App Store, Google has no choice but to fight fire with fire. The Android Market is the only application store that comes anywhere near the App Store. If Google wants any chance of launching a successful tablet, they"ll need to capitalize on the success of Android. Keep in mind, this is all conjecture. At this point, no one that knows actual details of the Google tablet is talking.
It is said that the tablet project has been going on behind closed doors with very little third party involvement. However, it does seem that books, magazines, and other media will be available for the device at launch. No timetable has been leaked.