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Google Pad: Chrome Tablet Mock-Up Released

Google Pad: Chrome Tablet Mock-Up Released

3 Feb 2010

gpad-google-tablet-computer-chrome

The hype associated with the release of Apple’s iPad has confirmed that tablet computers are the next big thing in the tech world. Not a company to pass up on a trend, Google has released a user interface design of its own tablet.

Google’s conceptual images for what a Chrome OS-based tablet computer could look like has been released at its open source Chromium Projects site.

The images were actually released before the Apple iPad announcement, but were suffocated by Apple’s publicity.

Google said that a Chrome OS tablet would include a screen-based virtual keyboard, and an integrated media player running in the Chrome Web browser and OS.

The proposed tablet would have a 5 to 10 inch screen with the UI adjusted for larger touch targets Google said in a post.

"Initial explorations have maintained the same basic chrome layout, but enlarged the controls,” the post said.

“Icons could be placed above tabs to provide larger, square targets. Panels would be placed along the bottom edge and could be opened with upward dragging motions."

While this functionality sounds very similar to Apple’s iPad, Google’s Chrome device will be open source, allowing developers to create apps and other software possibilities that Apple’s proprietary hardware won’t allow.

Sundar Pichai, vice president of product management at Google, said that the Chrome OS is due to appear on netbooks by the end of the year.

Learn more about the future of tablet computing at CeBIT’s Planet Reseller & IT Peripherals Expo.

Find out more about creating apps at the CeBIT Mobile Office Exhibition.

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