Google Nexus Tablet Could Be Released In The Next 6 Months: REPORT

On Monday, The Next Web pointed out an interview between Google Chairman Eric Schmidt and Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera in which Schmidt spoke of the possibility of the web giant releasing a new tablet within the next six months.

Schmidt says that Google "plan[s] to market a tablet of the highest quality," although TNW is quick to point out that the Italian-language interview was transcribed into English via Google Translate and might be a little vague. Schmidt might mean that Google is working on a "Nexus-grade" tablet or simply lending its Ice Cream Sandwich operating system to a Motorola or Samsung device, according to TNW.

Chris Velazco at TechCrunch questions whether the supposed Google tablet would be part of the Nexus family. He reasons that the point of Nexus is to be on the cutting edge, but if Google's goal with this tablet is to compete with iPad, the company will have to make something that has mass appeal.

However, Samsung seems to be benefitting from the successul launch of the Galaxy S II handset, as well as the buzz surrounding the release of the Galaxy Nexus smartphone, the first handset powered by Android 4.0. Based on recent numbers from YouGov BrandIndex, Samsung has squeaked passed Apple in terms of consumer perception.

"The iPhone’s buzz score began sinking around November 28, with a buzz score of 33 – the current score [reported on December 14] is 25. Samsung, whose buzz score was 19 compared to the iPhone’s 29 on October 3rd, is now at 26," reports BrandIndex.

A November study pegged Apple's iPad commanding almost 75 percent of the tablet market; AllThingsD stated at the time that this lead may have been at least partly due to the lack of a true tablet competitor. Following the breakout Amazon Kindle Fire tablet, Google now faces another new competitor in an increasingly crowded space.

Schmidt also told Corriere della Sera that Google is working to improve their voice-recognition technology in order to compete with Apple's Siri voice-control software, a standout feature on the iPhone 4S.

Last week Android and Me reported that Google was working on a "secret" voice-assistant project, code-named "Majel" after the Federation Computer from "Star Trek." Majel will be based on Google's Voice Actions, but with the addition of natural language processing. Android and Me speculates that Google could release a Siri rival as early as the end of this year, but notes that "a January or February release might be more realistic."

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Comments

[theveggiedude]

03:40 AM on 12/21/2011

The irony is that it is probably being developed using a Mac. Go for a stroll on the Googleplex and every employee carrying a laptop is a MacBook, even though they are allowed to have Linux as an alternate OS (Windows was banned on the campus three years ago).

[Revee]

08:29 PM on 12/20/2011

"Samsung has squeaked passed Apple in terms of consumer perception."

I know this first hand. We recently delivered a proprietary Enterprise App on a Samsung. Before the project the customer was all about using iTouch. However, developing and deploying apps on Apple is tedious. With the android, we just had to package it and put it on the customer's server. The app can be downloaded and installed. No App Store or license keys or registering devices!

The customers are loving the app. I feel that the perception that non-Apple devices are bad often stops people from even trying the alternative. Once they try it, it is not as bad. I am not putting down i-devices - they are really very good, but from a functional standpoint, so are many of the android devices (especially, Samsung). As a developer of special enterprise apps - Android is they way to go!

[Zephyra]

07:33 PM on 12/20/2011

The Goog's behind on branding. Hmmm. Pepsi or Coke?

[RayWes]

12:04 PM on 12/20/2011

He probably just received the blueprints of Apple's iPad 3.

[Layman23]

11:22 AM on 12/20/2011

Apple designs hardware as well as software. Google might be thinking along the same lines.

[ginpowell]

10:49 AM on 12/20/2011

With the flood of tablets Google better hit that really sweet price point and load the little rascal
with goodies.

[jabreal00]

09:56 AM on 12/20/2011

Competition is good. Apple needs a serious competitor for the tablet market. This will force them to innovate rather than resting on their laurels. Some of the Android based phones quickly caught up with the iPhone that is why Apple came out with Siri. I am satisfied with my 4s. I love my iPad-2. I mainly stick with Apple because I have so many products that seemlessly integrate.

[Erdgeist]

09:42 AM on 12/20/2011

More hype? Come to my neighborhood coffee shop for your next macchiato. It is packed with Emory students. It is Apple all the way - iPhone, iPad, etc. Sure, for you cheapskates non-Apple products are good enough which means they are mediocre. I understand. :p

[papagroove]

08:58 AM on 12/20/2011

Windows 8 may change the Personal Computing world again... It's a better GUI, a more open product and will be compatible with the Microsoft infrastructure in the majority of Businesses.

As someone who manages enterprise level environments, our users insistence on Apple has ruined our security, ruined our productivity and costs us millions to try and make our already functional environment backwards compatible with less secure, less feature rich Apple products.

I don't see Google keeping such a large focus on their OS in the years to come. I think we;ll see them shift back towards their Cloud and SEO products (especially if they are hit with anti-trust)

[theveggiedude]

11:13 AM on 12/20/2011

Pot calling the kettle black. What of all the millions of viruses these past 25 years for the Windows platform? What of the Y2K mess, where billions had to be spent to fix? All Macs were Y2k compliant since their 1984 introduction. Truth is, IT loves the inconvenience and problems Windows always brought to the table - it meant YOUR job security. The more plug and play ease, the less comfortable IT becomes, because it means less trouble, less headache, and less use of IT.

[papagroove]

08:49 AM on 12/20/2011

HP, please drop your undying love for everyhing apple.. Its embarrassing.

[Steven Travis]

08:40 AM on 12/20/2011

"plan[s] to market a tablet of the highest quality,"

So, is he saying that every google tablet so far has been at best, mediocre?

[One Last Time]

09:28 AM on 12/20/2011

As someone who looked at most over the past two weeks, a surprising number of them are. And those that are above average, are at the same price point of more than the iPad. Competition didn't do much to bring the price down. Only the quality.

[Steven Travis]

09:49 AM on 12/20/2011

Ugh...now you've done it...the dr0ids will beat you down on this one if they get wind of it.

[Clarity22]

08:29 AM on 12/20/2011

Good luck.....yawn...

[Highball]

01:17 AM on 12/20/2011

LOL

OK, whatever you say. :)

[gwats1957]

12:24 AM on 12/20/2011

In six months, Apple is on to better things and you are yesterday's toast.

[IndependentRule]

11:30 PM on 12/19/2011

I have never liked the iStuff. tried the iPhone and hated how much control I did not have of it. Sold it and bought an Android and then bought an International unlocked SGS II rooted it and flashed a custom ROM...... Apple cannot touch what I can do with this device. from the simplicity of changing out a battery when needed to using it as a Mass Storage device with any computer. Apps are not censored and can be loaded without any software. the entire device can be restored without any access to the Clould or a computer. More powerful. Twice the memory larger screen. I don;t understand the iphone's appeal, except that maybe a 10 year old can use it. An open OS is always better.

[thehighbrowpoliticker]

08:21 AM on 12/20/2011

Agreed.

[spitfiredd]

08:35 AM on 12/20/2011

Actually an open OS is only better for computer scientists and software developers, for everyone else it's not even a selling point.

[papagroove]

08:57 AM on 12/20/2011

Ignorance is no excuse.