Google to take on Apple with its own online tablet store

The search giant will sell its Android tablets made by partner manufacturers, such as Samsung (the Galaxy Note 10.1 is due to be released later this year), as well look to launch its own Google-branded tablet through the store too, reports The Wall Street Journal.

In 2010, Google tried selling the Nexus One, a HTC manufactured Android phone, directly to consumers through its own online shop. However, the company scrapped the endeavour after a few months of average sales and other Android phones selling better.

The details of when the store will launch and how it will exactly work are scant at this stage.

With this move, Google is hoping to up the ante against Apple and Amazon, as both technology giants directly sell their respective tablets (the iPad and the Kindle Fire) to consumers. The store will be supported by a huge marketing campaign by Google, as it looks to enter the consumer electronics sector, becoming a vendor for its own Android tablets.

Once Google’s $12.5bn purchase of Motorola goes through, (it is still awaiting approval from the Chinese authorities), it is expected to start manufacturing its own tablets – which are then expected to also be sold through this new online tablet store.

The Telegraph