7-inch Toshiba Thrive Slated for December Release
Toshiba is launching a 7-inch version of its Thrive Android tablet in December.
Tuesday Toshiba revealed a 7-inch version of its Thrive tablet that's expected to land in stores this December. It will be powered by Google's Android 3.2 "Honeycomb" OS, Nvidia's Tegra 2 dual-core SoC, and will arrive in two configurations: 16 GB and 32 GB.
"This is a seven-inch tablet done right," said Carl Pinto, vice president of product development, Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., Digital Products Division. "The Thrive 7-inch Tablet is the first seven-inch tablet in the U.S. market to offer a true HD display that when combined with the selection of ports, premium audio, and a better, more robust Android experience make it a great choice for on-the-go consumers looking for a no-compromise tablet."
According to Toshiba, the device will sport an LED backlit AutoBrite multi-touch display with a native resolution of 1280 x 800, and incorporate Toshiba's exclusive Adaptive Display and Resolution+ video enhancement technologies. To round out the entertainment side, it will also include stereo speakers tuned with sound enhancement technologies from Toshiba and SRS Labs.
Toshiba also said the 7-inch Thrive tablet will include a gyroscope, a rear-facing 5MP camera with an LED flash and a front-facing 2MP camera for video chatting, a mini-USB port, a micro-HDMI port, a microSD card slot, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, integrated GPS and more. Software will include Toshiba's exclusive File Manager utility and Google's Mobile Service applications.
The company added that the device will be lightweight and easy to carry, weighing only 0.88 pounds and measuring just under half an inch thin (0.47 inches). The device will also be easy to hold, as it will sport Toshiba's "stylishly" durable and slip-resistant (rubberized) Easy Grip finish.
The Thrive 7-inch Tablet will be available in December at major U.S. retailers, e-tailers and ToshibaDirect.com. So far actual availability and pricing is unknown, so stay tuned.
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The new tablets are really cool, but they oversaturating the market with similar models. There isn't enough $499 10.1" 16GB tablets or $399 7" 16GB tablets? Give us something new. Plus, I think a 10.1" is a smarter choice since most phones are 4.3" and 7" just isn't big enough.
Give us something cheaper than a laptop, please. Why buy less for more money?
Price it at $299 and then they will have a winner in the 7" category.
$299 is in the upper range of the more capable/ higher performing netbook market.
Tablets need to be priced under $200
They need to price them into their hardware specs/ functionality bracket
$100-200= Tablets and Smartphones
$200-300= Netbooks
$300+ = Laptops
usually with a tablet, you get a less capable system compared to even a netbook. For example a $400-500 tablet will get you a dual core 1GHz arm CPU, 512-1GB RAM 16-30GB storage, 7-10 inch screen, and a smartphone OS
A $250 netbook gives you a 1.66GHz Dual core intel atom, 1-2GB RAM, 320-500GB storage, 10.1 inch screen, physical keyboard (the most popular accessory for a tablet is a case and keyboard), Full desktop OS. multiple expansion ports (USB, dvi, ethernet), also the ability to upgrade certain parts mainly the RAM and hard drive)
Price is going to make or break this. how much is this going for? no price announced...not a good sign.
I'm still waiting for a cheap ultra thin 12" Anrdoid/Win tablet!
Give us something cheaper than a laptop, please. Why buy less for more money?
Do you get the same price for a desktop as you would for a similarly performing laptop? Maybe for 40-50% of the specs of the desktop.
Those price gradients would be valid if there wasn't a tradeoff between performance and portability. Unfortunately there is a tradeoff and that is why companies have been able to sell tablets at laptop prices.
Just have to wait for the price to come down. I got a 10" 16GB thrive for $399. no discounts or other price reduction gimmicks.
Why the absolutely huge bezel? I'm not throwing it like a frizbee. I don't need a handle. Use most of the front for a screen!
Waits for Apple to sue them for ripping off iPad look 'n' feel and anything else that Apple thinks they have a right to own.
Why the absolutely huge bezel? I'm not throwing it like a frizbee. I don't need a handle. Use most of the front for a screen!
Thats so your fingers don't cover part of the screen when you are holding it.
Those are decent specs for an Android tablet. Too bad the only downside is the Honeycomb.
Why the absolutely huge bezel? I'm not throwing it like a frizbee. I don't need a handle. Use most of the front for a screen!
So Apple wouldn't sue.