Android 3.0 to be better equipped for tablets

Until now, tablet makers were reluctant to use Android on tablets because of the lack of access to the Android marketplace and the fact that there isn't a reference hardware design for Android tablet, meaning applications have to be designed with a large range of hardware configurations in mind. Neowin notes Google is not encouraging Android tablets at the moment, but fortunately the search giant is answering some of the demands of the tablet market with Android 3.0 "Gingerbread", by including support for bigger screens/higher resolutions and adding marketplace support.

Gingerbread, Android 3.0’s codename, is rumored to have minimum requirements similar to those of Windows Phone 7 (1GHz CPU, 512MB of RAM), but will also introduce support for larger screens/resolutions (possibly up to 1366x768) which will be perfectly sized for Android tablets along with a revamped UI. If all goes to plan, Android 3.0 will be the Android OS that manufacturers have been looking for – and should solve the multiple-marketplace problem that’s currently troubling developers. It’s expected that Android 3.0 will launch before the years end, but that might not be soon enough for those itching to get their hands on an iPad competitor such as the Eee Pad, WindPad or Galaxy Tab.