Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile USA tap Google's latest OS for tablets

The wireless industry has turned its hype amplifier to 11 for the Consumer Electronics Show with carriers announcing a bevy of new tablet devices they expect will change the world and, at least in the case of Verizon Wireless (VZ), a network that can support just about everything short of time travel.
Both Verizon Wireless and T-Mobile USA Inc. unveiled new tablet devices that will run Google Inc.’s (GOOG) Android 3.0 operating system, also known as Honeycomb. This OS is the first from Google specifically designed for the tablet space as current Android-powered tablets like Samsung Telecommunications America’s Galaxy Tab runs an expanded version of the smart phone-centric Android 2.2 OS.
For Verizon Wireless, the device news was in partnership with Motorola Mobility Holdings Inc. (MMI) and included both a tablet device and an extra-large sized smart phone. The tablet, dubbed Xoom and not to be confused with Sprint Nextel Corp.’s previous Xohm WiMAN service, sports a 10.1-inch screen, a dual-core processor with each core running at 1 GHz and eventual access to Verizon Wireless’ LTE network.
The Xoom is set to launch next month with the initial batch supporting both Wi-Fi and 3G connections. Sometime during the second quarter the device will begin shipping with support for Wi-Fi and LTE and at which point the Wi-Fi/3G devices that have already been sold will be offered an upgrade for LTE support. That does not sound too complicated.
Pricing for the device was not released.
As for the super-sized smart phone, Motorola revealed the Droid Bionic that will sport a 4.3-inch screen, a dual-core processor with each core running at 1 GHz and HDMI connectivity. Motorola also noted that the device will include a front-facing camera that will allow for video conferencing when using either Wi-Fi or Verizon Wireless’ LTE network. This appears to be the first announcement about Verizon Wireless getting in on the video chat business, though unlike similar offerings from Sprint Nextel and T-Mobile USA the Verizon Wireless service looks to bypass usage on its more pervasive 3G network.
The T-Mobile USA tablet device is from LG Electronics Inc. and dubbed the G-Slate. The carrier provided scant details on the device, noting only that it will include most of Google’s mobile applications and launch in the coming months.