7-inch Motorola XOOM in 2011 implies Moto CEO

Motorola CEO Sanjay Jha has confirmed that the 10-inch Motorola XOOM will get at least one sibling before the year is out, with a 7-inch model seeming the most likely. Speaking as part of the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media & Telecom Conference yesterday, Jha praised the 7-inch form factor, describing it as the "portable" alternative to more professionally-minded 10-inch slates.

While not a definitive confirmation that a 7-inch XOOM is on the way, the decision would certainly make sense in terms of the rest of the market. Samsung led the way with its 7-inch Galaxy Tab last year, and is now slotting a 10-inch Honeycomb version in above it; Motorola has already been the first to reach the market with an Android 3.0 model, and a 7-inch version could better target mobile users looking for a slate that's easier to drop into a bag or purse.

[via NetbookNews]