Google will open an online store where it will sell tablets directly to consumers, with some of the devices potentially being co-branded with Google's name, the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday. According to the report, the Internet search company will sell co-branded tablets directly to consumers through an online store like rivals Apple and Amazon.com. The move is an effort to turn around sluggish sales of tablet computers powered by Google's Android software.

The Journal didn't say when the online store might open, and Google declined to comment. The tablets will be manufactured by Google partners such as Samsung Electronics and Asustek Computer, the paper said.

According to an earlier report, Google and Asus are reportedly planning to release a a 7-inch co-branded tablet PC in May. The model would be priced at US$199-249, industry sources in Taiwan had indicated.

Succeeding in tablets is important for Google because it will make Android even more attractive to developers.