The last time we spoke about the Google Tablet project, it was understood that ASUS had been chosen to build the device and that one of Google’s primary objectives was to introduce the device around the $199 mark to compete with the popular Amazon Kindle.

Now though, new information published by The Verge reveals that Google are planning to delay the release of their tablet slightly, pushing the launch back by a few months from May to July. Furthermore, we may see a possibility where the tablet is actually priced at above the $200 mark, rather than below it – the new Apple iPad currently retails at $499 after all so Google will need to find the right balance.

What about hardware specifications though? There’s a general consensus that this device will ship with an NVIDIA Tegra 3 quad-core processor, but the operating system included is still up for debate. Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0 is obviously a high possibility, but there are some whispers that Google could be planning to go all out and make this the world’s first device with Android 5.0 Jelly Bean.

In our opinion, that’s exactly what they need to do as well. Ice Cream Sandwich isn’t exactly brand spanking new any moment and ironically it is ASUS that first had the honor of building a tablet with the OS on via the Transformer Prime. If ASUS is really building the Google tablet and Google are looking to go on the direct offensive against Apple, then Jelly Bean is exactly the kind of ‘wow’ factor they need to entice consumers into a purchase.

There is also the possibility of Apple releasing a follow-up device to the new iPad before the end of the year, and it may be moment when the world finally sees a quad-core capable iPad for the first time. Aside from Android 5.0 Jelly Bean, we would also like to see some other unique features from Google as we would be disappointed if it turns out to be ‘just another Android tablet’ with Google branding slapped on the back.

Are you looking to pick up Google’s effort later on in the year? Do you agree with us that they need to launch it with Android 5.0 Jelly bean? What other features would you like to see in the device in order to buy it ahead of future products from ASUS, Samsung and Apple?

As many of you are aware, the Galaxy Nexus was the first device to feature Ice Cream Sandwich, with Motorola having the honor of the first Android Honeycomb device before it with their Xoom tablet.

Now though, it could be ASUS that takes a portion of Jelly Beans straight from Google’s bowl as the Taiwanese company has revealed that they will be one of the first to support the new software when it is ready for release. While most Android fans are expecting the next version of Android to be called Jelly Bean, it hasn’t been made official by Google yet. ASUS has dropped another big clanger though, as Benson Lin, Asus’ Corporate Vice President specifically referred to Android 5.0 as Jelly Bean, when speaking in a recent interview with Tech Radar.

How would you feel about an ASUS device possibly carrying the next major version of Android first? The company have hit the mainstream big time ever since they brought out the Transformer Prime, a tablet which allowed ASUS to boast that it was the first in the world to offer a quad-core processor with Ice Cream Sandwich.

One immediate question on our minds, is whether their device will be a tablet or a smartphone? We wouldn’t mind seeing a brand new version of the Transformer Prime with Jelly Bean, although since they have just debuted the ASUS Pad Fone, we may see ASUS become adventurous and bring out a completely new smartphone with Jelly Bean installed on it instead.

How do you rate ASUS as a manufacturer? Would you buy an Android Jelly Bean smartphone or tablet from them?