Google delays Android 3.0 for tablet makers

SOFTWARE DEVELOPER Google is delaying the rollout of Android 3.0 Honeycomb, claiming it needs more work.

Google had chosen Motorola's Xoom tablet to show off its Android 3.0 operating system at MWC, and while that device has been on sale in the US for a month, other tablet makers are now waiting on Google to launch their Ipad 2 rivals. Android 3.0 Honeycomb has been designed specifically for tablets with a number of companies, including Samsung and LG having shown off their Android 3.0 tablets in the past month.

However Google told Reuters that the firm needs to do more work before Android 3.0 can be delivered on other devices. In an emailed statement, a Google spokeswoman said, "While we're excited to offer these new features to Android tablets, we have more work to do before we can deliver them to other device types including phones."

Google's statement continued to say that it will publish the source "as soon as it's ready".

The news of Google's decision to delay Android 3.0 comes on the day that Apple's Ipad 2 goes on sale in the UK and 24 other countries. While Motorola's Xoom tablet has won many plaudits, Samsung in particular must be chomping at the bit to get its latest set of Android 3.0 Galaxy Tab devices out the door.

For Apple, news of the Android 3.0 delay must be just the cherry on the cake, as the cappuccino company is expected to reveal bumper first weekend sales of its Ipad 2 next week. µ