Tablets are all the rage these days, as evidenced by Samsung's Galaxy Tab, Motorola's MZ600 "Stingray," and several other devices from various manufacturers.  Now a rumor states that HTC may be planning to join the tablet fray next year.  The folks at Digitimes are reporting that HTC is planning to release a tablet device with Android 3.0 sometime during Q1 of 2011.  Digitimes believes that with HTC's strong ties to Google and various carriers around the world, HTC's tablet will have a leg up on its ever-growing competition.

Ever since HTC released the Dream/G1 way back in October of 2008, the company has been churning out new handsets featuring Google's green robot. So while this news alleged comes from the vague "component makers" source, it wouldn't be a surprise to see HTC make an Android-powered tablet, perhaps even with their new Sense experience.  The alleged Q1 2011 release date makes some sense, too, considering that both the Galaxy Tab and "Stingray" have already shown up in Verizon's systems, and an AT&T-branded Galaxy Tab is expected to hit in Q4 of this year.  Does the possibility of an HTC-made Android tablet throw a wrench in your potential tablet purchase decision?  (Above image is a render, not an actual product)

Via IntoMobile, Digitimes