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Google said to launch tablet via its own online store

The latest chatter on the debut of the Web giant's Android tablet is that users might be able to get their hands on them this year by way of an exclusive Google store.

Dara Kerr Former senior reporter
Dara Kerr was a senior reporter for CNET covering the on-demand economy and tech culture. She grew up in Colorado, went to school in New York City and can never remember how to pronounce gif.
Dara Kerr
The Google tablet could look like this Asus Eee Pad MeMO 370T 7-inch tablet, which was announced at CES. Nvidia

The Google tablet is reportedly on the way and could be released this year, according to The Wall Street Journal. What is more, it could be sold in exclusive Google-only online stores.

Rumors and reports on the Google tablet have been spreading over the last couple of months. First there were claims that the Android tablet would be positioned to challenge Amazon's Kindle Fire. Then reports said it would be 7-inches and cost between $149 and $199, which directly targets the Kindle. And earlier today, DigiTimes said the Internet giant planned cooperate with Asus to launch an inexpensive tablet.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the tablets might be co-branded with the name "Google" and the company will employ both Samsung and Asus to make the hardware. Rumors have it that Asus will release the tablet later this year via an online Google store.

If the Internet company were to debut online stores that would continue to fuel the belief that it is actively trying to compete with Amazon, which sells the Kindle through Amazon.com. However, it remains unclear when Google plans to launch this online store.

Google did not immediately respond to request for comment.