With Google’s Android gaining momentum in smartphones, the search engine giant is now aggressively going after the iPad like tablets. Aiming to extend the operating system to the upcoming tablet space, Google has partnered with Motorola to develop Android 3.0 tablet PC, reports Digitimes Research’s senior analyst Mingchi Kuo. In addition, Verizon joins the team as a telecom partner responsible for selling the tablet to its customers.

According to Kuo, the partnership is similar to Google’s G1 smartphone, wherein the two makers and their telecom partners will have the right to use their respective names on the product.

As per the report (http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20100819VL200.html), the Google, Motorola's Android tablet 3.0 will feature the Tegra 2 platform from Nvidia and a 10.1-inch panel supplied by Sharp. The panel has a lower brightness than that of Apple's iPad, but is thinner in size. The analyst also indicated that the Android tablet PC will be manufactured by Motorola and is slated for mass production by the year-end.

Nvidia launched its next generation Tegra early this year at 2010 CES show. According to Nvidia, Tegra is the world’s first processor for the mobile web, specifically designed for the high-resolution needs of tablets. By combining lightning-quick browsing, streaming 1080p video and Adobe Flash Player 10.1 acceleration with an immersive 3D user interface and days of battery life, Tegra mobile web processor delivers over 16 hours of HD video or 140 hours of music—on a single charge, according to Nvidia.

In a statement early this year at 2010 CES, Tim Bajarin, president of industry analysis firm Creative Strategies, Inc., said, “Without question, 2010 is going to be year of the tablet.”

Media reports suggest that Google is actively involved in generating the Android tablet 3.0 specifications, including its user interface to ensure a good user experience. Even though the product is not yet in the market, Digitimes’ Kuo is predicting an excellent start for the product. According to Kuo’s analysis, more than 2 million units are expected to ship in 2011.

That means, by early next year, Apple’s iPads will see stiff competition. And eventually, Android tablet could surpass iPads the same way as Android phones have overtaken iPhones, reports Digitimes Research.

Others playing a catch-up game include Research In Motion, Hewlett-Packard, LG Electronics and Samsung. Meanwhile, Dell has launched Android 1.6 powered Dell Streak tablet in the U.K. With at least 3 million iPads in the market today, Apple is far ahead in this race.