901am

Remember the Chrome OS Tablet Google was talking about earlier? Well apparently the Mountain view giant is releasing their iPad contender before the end of the year.

Unfortunately it looks like they are about to make their first public mistake (which would make Steve Jobs smile).

I had a chance to ask the Googlers about Chrome OS  recently, and was told that a preview version of Google OS is still going to hit this year and be available in test form on several new form factors.

Bottom line: Google, like Microsoft, is not going to have a viable iPad competitor available in time for holiday 2010. (ZDNet)

While I am glad that Google is releasing a Chrome OS of some design this year, truth be told allowing the public to “beta test” the OS before its fully ready is insane as it will hurt future sales of Chrome OS as the public will most likely judge Google based on its initial tablet.

Although the iPad does have its share of issues, Apple (more or less) built a quality device that was ready for the masses from the very first day.

Worse, Google is not apparently excited about Chrome OS in tablet form, claiming that the OS is more for laptops and computers (i.e. netbooks).

Unless Google wants to be embarrassed in Steve Jobs upcoming iPad 2.0 keynote as why Apple’s rivals make horrible products, the search engine giant should would be better off delaying Chrome OS’s debut in order to save the device from public scorn.

Originally posted on November 23, 2010 @ 3:48 pm