LG Electronics could not stay away from the growing tablet PC market, where rival Samsung is already offering the galaxy Tab device challenging Apple's iPad.

LG will reportedly release an 8.9-inch Android-based tablet PC in the first quarter of the next year, according to a report at Maeil Business Newspaper. Apple's iPad comes with a 9.7-inch screen while Samsung's Galaxy Tab has a 7-inch screen.

According to the paper, the device will be called "LG Optimus Pad" and will be available worldwide. The device will feature a slim and lighweight design, will run Google's upcoming "Honeycomb" , Android operating system and will be powered by Nvidia's Tegra 2 Dual core processor.

LG will try to diversify from its competitors by offering a tablet PC with more features than these currently offered by other tablets, such as e-book, movie, music and the Internet functions.