Verizon Wireless CEO Lowell McAdam announced the company's plans to offer 4G Android-powered tablets in the fourth quarter of this year. Samsung, Motorola, and LG are the companies named to manufacture the tablets. The tablets will reportedly launch as 3G devices with the ability (hopefully) to upgrade to LTE once the network is ready for use, and will compete directly against Apple's iPad.
I already talked about Google and Verizon working together to get Android tablets onto their network, and now we have some firmer details on what to expect. As for possible specs of the tablets, AndroidandMe says to "look for manufacturers to utilize next-generation processors running Android 2.2 or greater. Most tablets will feature ARM-based cores, like the NVIDIA Tegra 2, but keep an eye out for some Intel-powered devices as well."
Also mentioned in the Reuter's article were the announcement of up to 5 handsets coming by May 2011 with the ability to use their upcoming LTE 4G network. The network is expected to "cover 25 to 30 markets with 100 million people, including New York by the end of this year." Phandroid is quick to mention Sprint's lead in providing 4G coverage, saying:
With Sprint already acommodating 32 markets (with more planned before the close of 2010), Verizon’s plans to cover 25-30 markets with their 4G offering starting in the 4th quarter of 2010 will at least be met with devices to take advantage of it soon after.
Other Sources: AndroidandMe, AndroidCentral, Phandroid
Fabien Roehlinger
I am really looking forward to Android tablets... I am pretty sure that the Google tablet will be really hot.