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LG holds back Android tablet for Gingerbread

Awaiting a less smartphone-centric OS

LG has delayed the release of its anticipated Android-based tablet having decided that the current version of the Google OS isn't up to snuff when it comes to such devices.

"We plan to introduce a tablet that runs on the most reliable Android version," a company spokesman told the Reuters newsagency today. "We are in talks with Google to decide on the most suitable version for our tablet and that is not Froyo 2.2."

That will come as a blow to rival Korean giant Samsung which will release its Android 2.2-based tablet, the Galaxy Tab, next month. All other Android tablets that are already available or on the verge of shipping are based on versions 2.1 or 2.2 of the OS.

However, Android 3.0, due late 2010 and codenamed 'Gingerbread', is more suited to tablets, having been designed from the start with such devices in mind. Previous releases were intended only for smartphones.

Acer, for one, is already believed to be holding back on a tablet release while it awaits the arrival of Android 3 and all the tablet-friendly features missing from 2.2.

LG always said its tablet wouldn't be out until Q4, but a decision to await Android 3 will almost certainly mean the product doesn't appear until Q1 2011 - perfect timing, in fact, for a big outing at January's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. ®

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