With rumors making rounds of Google's plans of coming up with a "Google Pad" - running its Android operating system - to compete with the recently-released Apple iPad, there are suggestions galore about the things that Google needs to keep in mind to give its tablet a competitive edge.

First and foremost, the screen size of the "Google Pad" should ideally be between 5 and 8 inches, so as to enable the users make the most of the Android experience - not only will a smaller screen make the device easier to handle, it will also provide better support to the Android user interface which is built particularly for small screens.

Next, Google should ensure that it makes the finding and installing of software easier from the Android market; as well as introduce an "update all" function, so that users do not have to update software one app at a time.

Furthermore, since the sync software offered by Google will be the cloud, it is advisable that Google may either bundle solutions such as DoubleTwist for media and application synchronization or The Missing Sync for personal data.

Lastly, Google will do well to have a native Android application or the browser's enhanced Google Docs functionality for basic document editing; and also offer a convincing development scenario in order to have blockbuster applications on hand at launch.