Consumers looking to buy an Android based tablet similar to those set to be released by Samsung with their Galaxy Tab and Toshiba with their Folio are not going to be able to access Android based tablet applications in the sort term, similar to what is available for the iPad due to technical issues Google has confirmed.
Consumers looking to buy an Android based tablet similar to those set to be released by Samsung with their Galaxy Tab and Toshiba with their Folio are not going to be able to access Android based tablet applications in the sort term, similar to what is available for the iPad due to technical issues Google has confirmed.
According to Google executives applications for an Android based tablet will have to be rewritten using new Android code which is not due untill early 2011. Both Samsung and Toshiba plan to launch their Android based tablets later this month.
Google said that applications for a tablet will have to be rewritten to take advantage of the new sizes including the 7″ Galaxy Tab and the 10″ Toshiba Folio.
New Android OS software codenamed Gingerbread and Honeycomb are being specifically developed to deliver applications for Android based tablets.
According to Toshiba executives in Japan the Company is have to recode specific applications using Android 2.2 Froyo in an effort to deliver some applications for their new tablet.
Samsung is getting round the issue by including a phone capability in the Galaxy Tab however this will only deliver phone applications “not Android tablet” applications said a Samsung executive. Basic applications like email, contacts and calendar functions.
Hugo Barra, the head of Mobile wrote in a recent blog when referring to Android Tablet applications “If you want Android market on that platform, the apps just wouldn’t run, [Froyo] is just not designed for that form factor”.
Google has even gone as far as prohibiting the use of Android applications for tablets according to several sources.
