Google CEO Eric Schmidt has confirmed that his company is developing a tablet device based on the Android operating system. The New York Times reports that Google has “been working with several hardware manufacturers,” and “hopes to make its own apps marketplace available for new slate-like devices.”
Although Google is yet to publicly announce such a device, many signs point to its likely launch. For starters, Google has been rumoured to be developing a slate device with HTC – the same company it brought Nexus One to market with – since January.
It’s also clear that Google has plans for Android that go way beyond phones. There’s already an Android-powered car on the way, as well as plans for what’s being called “Google TV.” While Chrome OS for netbooks is also expected by year-end (and there are rumoured Chrome tablets too), an Android tablet now seems imminent.