Verizon Teaming with Google for Tablet Project

Cell service provider Verizon is working with Google to design a tablet device geared at competing with Apple’s iPad. The tablet will run on Google’s Android platform, but Verizon didn’t say who would be building the hardware.

When asked by the Wall Street Journal what collaboration plans Verizon and Google have, Verizon CEO Lowell McAdam said “We’re working on tablets together, for example. We’re looking at all the things Google has in its archives that we could put on a tablet to make it a great experience.”

Building its own tablet would be one way for Verizon to compete with Apple and AT&T for new wireless data customers. Currently, AT&T offers special 3G data plans for iPad owners, but Verizon can’t get in on the game since its network isn’t compatible with Apple’s multimedia tablet device.

Mr. McAdam didn’t say when his company expects to ship its tablet device, or how far along design has progressed.