Mobile Unified Communications Featured Article

Now that Google (News - Alert) has rolled out its first smartphone, the Internet search giant is reportedly focusing on the netbook and tablet markets. But many of its plans appear to be largely under wraps.

 

We hear that Google’s signature smartphone technology, Android (News - Alert) OS, will be the basis for the Mountain View, Calif.-based company’s foray into the tablet market, too – and we hear the first tablets running off the Android platform have already arrived, with more on their way for 2010.

 

We’re also hearing that Android’s sister technology, an open source browsing technology it calls Chrome, may be taking a dip into the world of netbooks and media tablets.  

 

According to TechRadar, “Google has given the strongest hint yet that there will be touch options for Chrome OS,” during a talk at Google’s London offices. Other reports suggest that HTC (News - Alert) is already testing a Chrome OS tablet-style gadget.

 

It remains to be seen whether the possible Chrome-based tablet by Google will be able to take on Apple’s (News - Alert) newly launched iPad.

 

ABI Research’s senior analyst Jeff Orr said his firm forecasts 4 million media tablets will be shipped worldwide this year, TMCnet reported.

“While laptops are focused on productivity, and mobile phones are still primarily about communication, the main focus of media tablets is entertainment,” said Orr. “Content consumed on laptops and smartphones is increasingly based on Internet services. Home networks and mobile broadband data services make viewing possible without wires. These media tablets could not have come to market any sooner than 2010.”