HTC rumored to be readying an Android tablet for Q1 2011
The quietly brilliant handset maker is expected to be dipping its toes in the tablet waters. Does it have what it takes to put a dent in the iPad's sales?
The first alleged details for an HTC-branded tablet have surfaced thanks to a recent DigiTimes article. According to its sources, Taiwanese hardware manufacturer Pegatron Technology has started taking orders from HTC for an Android-based tablet due in the first quarter of 2011.
It's being reported that the device will feature a multitouch display with 1,280x720-pixel resolution and will run an Nvidia Tegra 2 dual-core processor. Other details should include a 32GB memory card, 2GB of internal memory, Wi-Fi, GPS, and Bluetooth. We don't know an exact size screen, but considering the resolution I'd guess it will be 10 inches at least. For reference, the new Galaxy Tab offers a 1,024x600-pixel 7-inch screen.
As nice as it would be to have an Android tablet from HTC in time for the holidays, I am content with waiting a little longer. We've heard recently that the current build of Android (Froyo) is not optimized for the tablet experience. If anyone truly wants to release an "iPad killer" then they will need to nail down every little detail--especially the part where it just works. On the other hand, the rumored price of NT$25,000 ($789.75 U.S.) could scare quite a few potential buyers.
It will be interesting to see how the early part of 2011 shapes up. Motorola is rumored to be working on a tablet called the Everest for the first quarter of next year. By that time, however, the Galaxy Tab will have been out for a few months and Apple will likely be ramping up the iPad 2 by then. And let's not forget that Archos should have an entire line of tablets and PMDs as well. It will be a crowded space that really didn't exist six months ago.
I'm curious to hear what you think about the Android tablets. Do you care about function, form, or price? Are there certain specs you need to have or does it even matter?