Android 3.0 Reported To Arrive On 'MOTOPAD'Android 3.0 Reported To Arrive On 'MOTOPAD'

According to a web site called Mobile-Review, which is led by mobile guru Eldar Murtazin, Google has decided that Motorola will be its launch partner for Android 3.0. Android 3.0, which is codenamed Honeycomb, will be a tablet-optimized version of Android, and will arrive on a device dubbed the MOTOPAD.

Over the weekend, the site tweeted, "Google choose MOTOPAD as first device to show Android 3.0 - 7 inch version."

Google has shared zero information about Android 3.0 with the public. In fact, we're still anxiously awaiting official details about Android 2.3, which may be revealed as early as today by Google CEO Eric Schmidt. About all that is assumed of Android 3.0 Honeycomb is that it is a version of Android that was developed expressly for the tablet form factor. Why is that important?

As evidence by the first real Android tablet to hit the market -- the Samsung Galaxy Tab -- Android 2.2 is not the best platform for a tablet. It works, but is clearly just an over-sized version of smartphone software. If Google wants Android to succeed as a tablet platform, it needs to be optimized for larger screens and given new and different features that take advantage of the tablet form factor.

Motorola is an obvious choice to debut Android 3.0. Google, Verizon Wireless, and Motorola ushered in Android 2.0 in October 2009 with the arrival of the Motorola Droid. Reports of a Motorola tablet have been floating around for months. It makes sense on many levels for Android 3.0 to make its first appearance with Motorola.

Perhaps the most interesting nugget to come from the tweet is the mention of "7 inch version." What does that mean? Does that mean the MOTOPAD will have a seven-inch display? Does that mean there will be a 10-inch version of Android 3.0? The way the tweet is worded raises questions, for sure.

But what of Android 2.3? Google CEO Eric Schmidt takes the stage at the Web 2.0 Summit later today. Google has been hinting that Android 2.3 Gingerbread is ready to go. Perhaps Schmidt will take the opportunity today to share some information about it.