Android 3.0 ‘Honeycomb’ due in March

According to sources in the manufacturing industry, the DigiTimes unveiled that Google is planning to launch the Android 3.0 ‘Honeycomb’ OS for tablets in March 2011.

DigiTimes sources dropped a number of references to the March availability while also confirming that Taiwanese manufacturers are set to join the stampede to show off tablet devices at the Consumer Electronics Show in January.

Taiwanese manufacturers Asus, MSI and ECS will be launching a range of devices including Windows 7 and Android 3.0-based devices according to a report by Taiwan-based DigiTimes.

Elite Computer Systems (ECS) is reportedly looking to launch a raft of e-book readers in 6, 8 and 9.7-inch form factors and based on the Android operating system. Windows 7 and Android tablet PCs would also feature with 10-inch screens and Intel Atom CPU for the Windows devices and ARM-based units for the Android devices.

MSI is also getting in on the act with 10-inch Windows 7-based tablets as well as prototype Android 3.0 ‘Honeycomb’ ARM-powered units which the company intends to release in March, according to DigiTimes sources, when Google releases the tablet-friendly 3.0 ‘Honeycomb’.

The DigiTimes said Asus will be offering three product lines of tablets under the Eee Reader, Eee Note and Eee Pad brands. Again a range of devices based on Windows 7 and Intel-technology including the new Intel Oak Trail, also expected to feature heavily at CES, and Android powered devices using Nvidia’s Tegra 2 chip-set.