Google Tablet Device?

Rumors are heating up that Google is considering launching its own tablet device to compete with Apple's iPad. If so, this could be a replay of their strategy of competing with Apple in the smartphone category, only this time giving Apple less of a head start. The Google device <http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/12/technology/12slate.html> reportedly would be based on the Android operating system and would, presumably, be built by other companies, not Google itself.

What are their chances for knocking off the iPad? Google is rumored to be in talks with various publishers about making their content available on the device. Also, the Google app store is the most highly developed of any store not beginning with the letter "i."