Google Android Tablet Store Set to Hit the Internet Soon

By Vincent Funaro, Christian Post Reporter Friday, March 30, 2012

Google is reportedly working on its own online tablet store where it will sell the devices directly to customers the same way Apple does, according to a recent report in the Wall Street Journal.

"The Internet search company is planning to market and sell tablets directly to consumers through an online store, similar to rivals Apple and Amazon.com Inc., according to sources familiar with the matter," read the report.

This comes shortly after Amazon has enjoyed tremendous success with its new Kindle Fire tablet that launched at the end of last year. Amazon has gained a good amount of share in the tablet market thanks to linking the device with the rest of Amazon's eco-system.

Apple pioneered the idea of having all of its products linked through one system and branding all of its devices and software with an 'i.'

Google is also rumored to be joining forces with Samsung on this project, which already produces what is arguably the finest brand of Android tablets on the market.

Samsung will build the tablets and Google will co-brand them with the Korean electronics giant, according to people familiar with the matter.

Other partners of Google, including ASUS, will be involved in the new venture as well.

"One Android tablet that may be sold in the online store is due to be released later this year by Taiwan-based Asus," read the report.

It was also revealed by the sources that Google will release its next-generation software for tablets and smartphones now known as Jelly Bean or Android 5.0 by the middle of this year.

This seems highly unlikely since Android 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich has barely made its way to most of the more popular Android devices. An end of the year announcement for Jelly Bean would make more sense, according to the company's release schedule.