Verizon working with Google on iPad rival [U]
updated 05:25 pm EDT, Tue May 11, 2010
Verizon CEO says working with Google on tablet
(Updated with OS details) Verizon chief Lowell McAdam today said in an interview that his company is working with Google on a tablet. Speaking in a WSJ interview, the executive said tablets were part of the "next big wave of opportunities" and that Google played a key part. He didn't say if the tablet would use Android or Chrome OS but did claim that Verizon was doing its best to get the most out of a Google partnership.
"We're looking at all the things Google has in its archives that we could put on a tablet to make it a great experience," McAdam said.
It's unknown how much actual collaboration is ongoing between the two. The executive may be referring to the ICD Ultra, an Android-based tablet currently being built as a showcase for the upcoming Verizon 4G network due late this year. Verizon has a close partnership with Google but may simply be coordinating the launch of a third-party device rather than designing one of its own.
Any project could nonetheless make a Google-based Verizon tablet the primary American rival of the iPad, whose initial design only supports AT&T for 3G in the US. Rumors have existed that the iPad may still reach Verizon in the future, but that it also may have been put on hold due to a possible AT&T deal with Apple to draw out iPad and iPhone exclusivity for a short while longer.
Update: Verizon spokesman Marquett Smith added that the tablet is using Android and that more details would be available from Verizon this week.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Sep 2009
verizon and the ipad
ain't happening unless the ipad goes LTE. and even then not until Verizon has a decent network. cause Apple is as likely to put CDMA in the ipad as they are the iphone which seems to be not.
Also I welcome Verizon's attempts to make an 'ipad killer'. not cause i think they can.but the presence of several attempts naturalizes any monopoly that Apple might gain and holds back antitrust issues in many respects.