Google snags 7-inch Motopad as Android 3.0 flagship

As of yet unconfirmed by Google, nevertheless reports suggest the rumoured 7-inch Android-powered tablet from Motorola naturally dubbed MotoPad has been picked to showcase version 3.0 of the OS, otherwise known as Honeycomb.

Such talk stems from a tweet posted by Mobile Review's industry insider Eldar Murtazin, who as VentureBeat attests has been a reliable source for breaking mobile news in the past.

Pad powerMurtazin claims the 7-inch tablet will be the first device to run Android 3.0 - which is the first version of the OS specifically designed for tablets - mirroring Google's decision to allow Motorola's Droid to act as 2.0's flagship device in late 2009.

The strong Droid sales that followed acted as a catalyst for Android's assault on iPhone and BlackBerry in the US. Indeed, comScore figures claim Motorola sat of the top of the OEM tree until mid 2010 as a result.

MotoPad's existence, let alone launch date, remains up in the air, however.

Given Honeycomb is currently scheduled for a debut in early 2011, Samsung's Galaxy Tab which commentators expect to garner sales in the run up to Christmas is likely to act as Google's lone credible alternative to iPad for many months to come.

[source: VentureBeat]