AT&T is already expanding its selection of products in the nascent tablet market. In addition to the upcoming Apple iPad, AT&T will market a tablet based on a future version of Intel's Atom processor.

At the CTIA trade show in Las Vegas this week, AT&T announced a tablet that will run, like the iPad, on its 3G broadband network. The tablet is based on a design from Boca Raton, Fla.-based OpenPeak, which designs and develops products for companies like Verizon and Telefonica--two of its current customers.

Inside OpenPeak's "OpenTablet" will be Intel's latest Atom "Moorestown" silicon, which is a system-on-a-chip due sometime in the next few months. The Moorestown chip is also slated to power a large 5-inch class smartphone from LG. The iPad is powered by Apple's A4 system-on-a-chip.

OpenPeak tablet: to be sold by AT&T, powered by Intel. Some future Intel-Apple rivalry at AT&T?

(Credit: OpenPeak)

In a January CNET interview, Dan Gittleman, chief executive of OpenPeak, offered his thoughts about how the tablet could be used, describing it as both a device for viewing multimedia content--like the iPad--and as a home monitor, for keeping tabs on energy consumption and security, for example.

Specifications that AT&T announced at CTIA include 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, a high-resolution 7-inch multitouch TFT LCD screen with LED backlighting, HDMI output for connection to HD televisions, dual cameras for high-definition video and still images, an onboard USB connector, and a MicroSD slot.

The device measures 9 inches by 5 inches, is 0.59 inches thick, weighs 1.15 pounds, and will be sold with a desktop docking station.

Though AT&T isn't revealing specific retail outlets yet, it will be available nationwide "via multiple retail distribution channels...later this year," according to a short announcement on Intel's Web site.