Google cited as bothered by Android-Windows hybrid

Google is the force behind a delay in the first tablet to instantly switch between Windows 8.1 and Android 4.X using Intel technology, a fresh report from Asia says. A CNET source backs up this claim.

A report Friday from Digitimes fingers Google as holding up the Asus Transformer Book Duet TD300, a novel laptop-tablet hybrid that can instantly switch between Android and Windows 8.1.

This follows earlier reports from CNET and Digitimes.

Here's what Digitimes said on Friday, in part:

Currently, only Intel's...chip can support dual operating systems, giving consumers an option to run either Android or Windows...From Intel's standpoint, tablets that have both Windows and Android dual OS is positive for its business model, and vendors can also increase brand value through dual-system products.

Microsoft is looking to expand the penetration rate of Windows in mobile devices, as it currently only has a [small] market penetration rate, so pairing up with Google should prove to be beneficial.

On Friday, a source familiar with the Asus Duet told CNET that Google is indeed the one that has not favored the idea. Microsoft, on the other hand, has not, to date, been actively opposed to the idea, the source said.

Asus in January said that it would bring out the device -- and possibly two devices -- in the second quarter.

The Duet created a buzz at CES in January, with both Asus and Intel promoting the device as way to bridge the gap between mobile (Android) and desktop (Windows).

Asus, Google, and Microsoft have all declined to comment.