Dual-boot Android Tablet Confirmed, Samsung Tab Coming on Verizon

It's Android-tablet-palooza today with confirmation of the dual-boot, Windows-Android tablet and ViewPad 7 from ViewSonic as well as reports that Verizon will carry Samsung's upcoming Galaxy Tab.

The 7-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab is slated to be officially introduced Sept. 2 and will be carried on Verizon's network, according to reports today at the tech blog BoyGeniusReport.

Samsung has not disclosed many details on the Android-powered tablet, but did issue a teaser video showing a 7-inch screen and a back-facing camera. However, other reports suggest it will ship with Android 2.2, or Froyo, have a 1024x600 AMOLED screen, front- and back-facing camera, GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and be powered by a 1GHz processor.

The news of Samsung's Android-based tablet comes on the heels of a major update to the mobile Linux operating system to version 2.2 and in the wake of analyst reports citing Android as surpassing rival platforms for the first time. Wireless industry watchers are eager to see if any of the new crop of Android tablets coming out over the next few months will be serious challengers to Apple's iPad.

In addition to the Galaxy Tab, ViewSonic's UK branch today confirmed that it will unveil a 7-inch Android tablet of its own, called the ViewPad 7. It will run Android 2.2, include front- and back-facing cameras, microSD slot, GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and 3G connectivity. There's no word yet on when it will be available in the U.S., but the company expects pricing to be around $545.

"ViewSonic will also be previewing a new Intel-based 10-inch tablet with dual boot Microsoft and Android operating systems," the company said in a statement, but did not disclose any more details.