LG has partnered with T-Mobile USA to announce the planned availability of G-Slate, which was described as “the first 4G tablet from the two companies powered by Android 3.0 (Honeycomb),” the anticipated version of the Google platform tailored for tablet devices. The companies released very little information about the device, stating that “additional product details will be disclosed at a later date.” It was suggested that “G-Slate will be among the first 4G tablets to fully benefit from the tablet optimised Android 3.0 platform,” following earlier reports that LG had opted not to participate in the first stages of the Android tablet race due to shortcomings with earlier versions of the OS.

Separately, RIM announced availability of a version of its PlayBook device supporting Sprint’s WiMAX services, called 4G PlayBook (pictured). The unit is expected to be available from the operator “in the Summer.” So far, RIM has not announced a version of PlayBook with integrated cellular connectivity, instead positioning the device as a companion to a BlackBerry smartphone, similar to the aim of Palm’s aborted Foleo project. PlayBook does include Wi-Fi connectivity, however, for use with home or office hotspots. According to Reuters, RIM has reported “massive” corporate interest in PlayBook, stating that customers are “taking deployment in the tens of thousands, right off the bat.”