Google to take on Amazon with Kindle rival?

Published Apr 13 2012, 18:50 BST  |  By Mark Langshaw

Google's Larry Page has hinted that the firm is planning to enter the budget tablets market, sparking rumours that it is working on a device to rival Amazon's Kindle.

The CEO told financial analysts that the search engine giant is focusing on the "lower end" of the sector rather than go up against Apple's dominant iPad, Mobile Today reports.

"There's been a lot of success on some lower-priced tablets that were on Android, perhaps not the full Google Android," he said. "We believe there's going to be a lot of success at the lower end of the market, and it's an area we think is important and we're going to focus on."

Google is rumoured to have been working on a Nexus-branded tablet computer for some time, with Asus thought to be producing the device. Recent reports suggest that the slate will arrive this year, bearing a price tag of between $199 (£128) and $249 (£158).

Market analyst Gartner predicts that tablet sales will hit almost 120 million by the end of 2012. The firm claims that Apple will account for 61.14% of that figure, while Android will hold 31.9%. By 2016, Apple will have an estimated share of 45.9% and Android 37.2%.

Google announced strong financial results earlier today, revealing that net income in the first quarter of 2012 was $2.89bn (£1.8bn), up 60% from the same period last year.