[emellaich]

Ok, this is just idle speculation. If you are looking for facts, or even rumor, just move on because there is nothing to see here.

First, I would note that speculation on the web is that jellybean will be released, or at least previewed at Google's next major conference in April. I would also note that the ICS release was silent on new tablets, and that March or April may see the next iPad.

Furthermore, the first quarter should see a pretty strong presence for ultra books -- Intel's design for ultra thin, high battery life windows PCs that can launch in two to three seconds. They are expected to have solid state drives and to cost under $1000 in fifteen inch screens, less for smaller screens. And, of course Windows 8 will be just around the corner by that time.

So, I think we will see a tablet push for Google in the first quarter, unless they want the market to slip away. I know that Android runs on both tablets and phones, and that manufacturers like Moto/Sammy/HTC can push out new products at any given time. However, from Google's perspective I think they will normalize on a schedule aligned with Apple that concentrates on Spring tablet upgrades and Fall phone upgrades.

The one difference between the two will that Google's OS could continue to update twice a year, but that Apple's Spring updates are likely to be HW only.

So, I'm interested in your predictions..