Toshiba tips hat into tablet ring

Toshiba has confirmed plans to release an iPad-alike tablet later this year powered by Google's Android OS.

The manufacturer is also planning a Windows 7 version with two screens, Toshiba's US digital product chief, Jeff Barney, told news agency Reuters last night.

The Android tablet will have a 10.1in display, he added, but provided no further technical details of this or the Windows 7 machine.

Barney said Toshiba believes there's a market for media consumption devices like the iPad, and they'll build a new market alongside other portable computing platforms, the way netbooks have.

Choosing Android appears to have been driven by a desire to offer the tablet at a low price and to ensure there are a selection of downloadable apps at launch. ®