Going by Tuesday reports, users who have used the Google mobile app for the Apple iPhone can now look forward to Google's mobile app for the iPad as well - with the new `free' iPad-specific app becoming downloadable from the App Store.

However, the Google app for the iPad essentially comes across as a short-of-complete attempt - the only thing that the app actually brings is a Google-centric format, based on the iPad's Safari browser.

Though the iPad app by Google boasts voice search ans built-in location-specific searches, it still falls short on a number of features - basically the lack of both the Chrome and the Android-like interface.

Apparently, Google's iPad app missed the bus in terms of laying a foundation for its supposedly-forthcoming tablet device. It would have been a much-required promotion for its own device if Google had changed the interface of its iPad app to give a feel of what it is planning for its tablet. In fact, Google could also have availed the opportunity to beat Apple at the browser game!

It is very likely that Google tried to play it safe with its iPad app; it is quite possible that Apple would not have allowed any overwhelming changes - more so as Apple did not let Google Voice get through to the App Store, and also because of the intensifying competition between the two companies.