Reports this week suggest that Google is struggling to stimulate developer support for Android Honeycomb (3.0), despite the fact that high-profile tablets based on the platform – notably Motorola’s new Xoom – are already shipping. According to a report on website GottaBeMobile, there are just 17 apps that are specifically designed for tablets running Android 3.0 or have a user interface designed specifically for tablets. The report notes that the ‘Featured Android Apps For Tablets’ section on Android Market features 50 applications, but – with the exception of the native apps – these are merely apps that have been resized for the Xoom’s larger screen.

These calculations appear to back up criticisms made by Apple CEO Steve Jobs, who earlier this month – during the announcement of iPad 2 – noted that there were less than 100 apps available for Android-based tablets. By contrast, Apple boasts of 65,000 apps designed specifically for the iPad’s larger screen.

The slow uptake of Android tablet apps is linked in part to Google’s delay in releasing the open source code for Honeycomb, which critics argue is a ploy by the software giant to maintain a degree of quality control over new Android-based tablets.