Google tablet to take on Kindle Fire?

A Google tablet would take on Amazon's Kindle Fire and not Apple's iPad, and could be out as soon as March, according to the latest twist on the search giant's possible efforts in the crowded tablet field.

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Google chairman Eric Schmidt fueled speculation recently when he supposedly told Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera that Google is planning to  "market a tablet of the highest quality" in the next six months. Google has since declined to elaborate on what Schmidt said or didn't say.

Some took that to mean Google would try to challenge the iPad. But now, Digitimes, a Taiwan tech publication, says that "sources from Google's upstream supply chain believe that Google, instead of Apple, may actually be targeting Amazon's 7-inch Kindle Fire as its major competitor."

The tablet would have a 7-inch screen, as the Kindle Fire does, run the newest version of Android, 4.0 (of course), but most significantly, would cost less than the already-low $199 Amazon is charging for the Fire.

The publication, which has a hit-and-miss reputation on such future-casts, noted "However, Google Taiwan commented that the company has never heard about plan of launching own-brand tablet PC."

Still, with its flagship Android phone, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus with a 4.65-inch screen just now out, and getting good reviews, it's not a leap to envision a Nexus tablet in the near future. 

Related stories:

• Acer's Iconia Tab A200, with 10.1-inch screen, out Jan. 15
• Kindle Fire will be No. 2 tablet after iPad
• Kindle Fire success is Google Android failure

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