Google have developed concept designs for a tablet PC running Chrome OS. At present the designs are virtual, with indications on how chrome will look on the tablet PC's.

Is this the start of Google pushing the mobile cloud computing experience to the next level? or a proof of concept in direct response to the ipad? Time will tell. My personal prediction is that the ipad will not take on in the same way as the ipod. Tablet devices have had a notoriously difficult time getting a foothold in the market. Netbooks fill the same kind of niche, but are also hampered by poor performance and portability issues. Ebook readers have also had a torrid time trying to pursuade people to give up the wood based services. There is also the fact that there are a myriad of devices now that can access and interact with the internet just as well as desktop computers. Googles android based Nexus One phones being one notable example. A sleek android phone fits in your pocket and can be used as a camera, phone, messaging system, mp3 player, video camera, satnav, email reader, web browser, TV (via itunes), flash storage device, handheld gaming console, wifi network device, search engine,  (hell. I've even got a handy guitar tuner on mine) . In contrast, the ipad has a large flat fingerprint smeared screen that you have to carry like a 1980's filo-fax ( you will need to buy the ipda case) . It has no camera, no phone calling, and is more fragile and expensive overall. I think the choice is an easy one. Why buy an oversized iphone when the regular 3G iphone one does all the same things and much more?

Is it marketing hype or madness?