Motorola to Launch Android Tablet Early Next Year

The Schaumburg, Ill.-based company is developing an Android tablet similar in size to Apple's 10-inch iPad, said people familiar with the matter. It also features television services and runs on Verizon's network.

Earlier this month, Verizon showed off an application that streams live television to the iPad, turning the tablet into a cable-ready mobile display and digital video recorder.

"I will only develop a tablet if it is sufficiently compelling," said Sanjay Jha, Motorola's co-chief executive. "Hopefully, that's early next year."

Apple has sold millions of iPads since its release in April, making tablets a must-have offering for PC and smartphone makers alike.

Earlier this week, Samsung announced plans to launch its 7.0-inch Galaxy Tab through all four major U.S. carriers, while Dell already released the Streak for AT&T. Others are rushing to get tablets to market for the holiday season.

"I see the tablet market as an opportunity -- no cannibalization with smartphones," Jha added. "The iPad is more an extension of iPhone than a migration of a Macintosh. I think that is a natural expansion for us."

Motorola, meanwhile, is attempting to turn around its struggling mobile phone business, refocusing its efforts on smartphones running Google's Android operating system.

"The convergence of mobility and computing is very important for us," Jha said. "There could be more form factors that are more smartphone-centric."