We first reported on this as a rumor (from a great source) last September. Now it looks like it’s definitely happening this October. 

It will be a 9-inch tablet with a color touchsceen (obviously). But the key element is that it will run Google’s Android OS. Remember, Amazon now has a competing Android app store to Google’s own — but it’s a pain in the ass to install. Now it will undoubtedly come pre-installed on these devices. This move was inevitable and could be huge. 

Interestingly, it apparently won’t have a camera. Nor will Amazon design it. This worries me a bit, but it seems like they may be aiming to make this thing as cheaply as possible.

Also important: this new tablet will not replace the Kindle. Amazon will also launch two new Kindle varieties around the same time. One will be cheap (probably below the $100 threshold), the other will have a touchscreen (to match the new Nook). But both will still be black & white.

The fall is going to be very interesting. There’s a reason Apple wants to get another iPad out there before the end of the year.