Google's Long-Awaited iPad-Killer Finally Revealed?

The first Google-branded tablet is reportedly on its way, and it's coming from a very familiar manufacturer.

, everyone's favorite source for inflated Apple

rumors, is reporting that the Android maker has teamed up with Asus to produce a seven-inch "tablet PC" that will ship in July (via

). DigiTimes' sources -- from the "upstream supply chain," of course -- claim that Google

will ship 600,000 units at launch. Whether or not these units will be allocated to one nation or several, no one knows. According to DigiTimes, Google originally planned to release its first branded tablet in the month of May, "but design and costs did not reach its expectations, and the product was delayed to July for some minor adjustments."

While Google promised to

, it would be better if the company continued to delay its tablet until it was ready to release something special. DigiTimes' report makes it sound as if Google is going to release a generic touch screen device that will do nothing to excite the masses. Granted, no specifics about the software or hardware were mentioned. But when I hear the words "Asus" and "tablet PC," I think, "Been there, done that." Asus has produced some decent products, to be sure. But it's hard to believe that

rumored tablet will be the one that raises Google's status. Prior to launch, the Kindle Fire was overflowing with positive press due to the fact that it was from Amazon

and came with a smaller price tag than its nearest competitor. After launch, the hype quickly died down as the media's attention turned toward the forthcoming iPad. Now that the third-generation iPad has been released, hype for the Kindle Fire 2 should be rising. But it has been mild at best. Why? Because the end result of using a cheap tablet did not prove to be as exciting as people anticipated.