Google’s first co-branded tablet computer as part of a collaboration with Asustek (Asus) is expected to debut in July, well after Google’s annual I/O shindig at which the search giant hoped to originally do a big reveal.
According to US gadget website The Verge the hold-up is due to Google insisting the price tag on the new device is well below the current US$249.
The new tablet computer will be based on a 7-inch design by Asus that features an Nvidia Tegra 3 quad-core processor and is Wi-Fi only and runs Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.
There has been some speculation that another factor delaying the device’s launch is because Google wants the new tablet computer to come with the next installment in the Android OS franchise, Jelly Bean.
In recent weeks it emerged that Google plans to sell tablet computers via an online store, including co-branded devices with manufacturers like Asus, Samsung and Motorola.
Another theory floating around is that Google wants to get out there with a new 7-inch co-branded device in order to beat Apple to the market. Apple is rumoured to be working on a new 7.8-inch tablet computer called the iPad mini.
