Microsoft may have been dealt something of a body blow by reports that the Asus Eee Pad – set to be released in 10- and 12-inch versions in early 2011 – will run a tablet version of Android after switching to the mobile OS from Windows.

The Eee Pad.

The news originates from an article on Netbooknews.de which suggests that the formerly Windows CE 7 Asus Eee EP101TC tablet is now sporting Android ‘Froyo’ 2.2 instead.

As some have noted the move towards Android, and away from Windows, means that in many respects the Eee Pad could resemble an iPad a lot more than previously thought due to the similarity of iOS4 and Android.

Techradar’s article on the subject reveals that the original reports from Germany say that the Asus Eee Pad will run on an Android Froyo ‘variant’ – likely Android 3.0, or Gingerbread.

Just how upset Microsoft will be considering Steve Ballmer has said that the Windows OS will be contained in a plethora of tablet devices over the next year is questionable. However, large companies usually don’t take rejections such as this well – if indeed the rejection is confirmed – so Asus shouldn’t expect to be on Ballmer’s Christmas card list anyway.