Electronics giant Toshiba is looking to get into the Android tablet game, taking the wraps off a forthcoming Android-powered device that aims to give the Apple iPad a run for its money with a 10.1-inch display, an Nvidia Tegra 2 mobile processor, and the capability to play back 720p video (as well as push it to bigger screens using HDMI in 1080p). And while Toshiba says the device will run Android 3.0 (codenamed “Honeycomb”), the company says it’s not likely to reach consumers until mid-2011, at which point it will be competing to a slew of Android tablets and (likely) an updated Apple iPad.
Toshiba hasn’t named the tablet yet (for the time being the company is just referring to it as the “Toshiba Tablet”); in addition to a 10.1-inch display that can handle 720p content, the device will feature front- and rear-facing cameras (two and five megapixels, respectively) and will include both USB and mini-USB, an SD card slot for removable storage, and include 802.11 Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless networking as well as an integrated GPS receiver. According to reports, the initial versions of the Toshiba Tablet will not have 3G or 4G mobile broadband capability, but Toshiba is open to working with carriers to add mobile service options. The final device should measure less than a half and inch thick and weigh under 1.7 pounds, and will feature a removable battery; non-working prototypes shown to media outlets have a non-slip rubberized back.
Toshiba also envisions the device as an ereader, and plans to ship tit with its own BookPlace ereader application and marketplace for reading and purchasing ebooks. In addition to being able to tap into the global Android Market, the Toshiba Tablet will also be able to access Toshiba’s own app store (Toshiba Places) for downloading exclusive software as well as games, movies, and music.
Toshiba has not announced any pricing plans, save that the company envisions the device being price-competitive with the Apple iPad, which currently starts at $499 for a WiFi-only edition.
[Image credit: Toshiba]
