Toshiba to release 10 inch tablet running Android 2.2

Toshiba's Folio 100 Android tablet is due to launch in the fourth quarter of this year. Toshiba has revealed that it too is working on a rival to the iPad – the Folio 100 has a 10.1 inch display, weighs 760 grams and runs Android 2.2 "Froyo". Toshiba manager Marco Perino demonstrated a prototype at this year's IFA consumer electronics fair in Berlin on Thursday and announced that full scale production is to commence in the fourth quarter of this year.

The first version to be released will cost €430 and include WiFi, Bluetooth and 16 GB of storage. There will also be a €530 3G UMTS version. Toshiba says that the device will play HD videos and can be connected to a TV via a docking station.

As with most Android 2.2 devices, users can zoom via multi-touch gestures and play Flash content. The battery should be good for approximately seven hours use between charges and the front-facing webcam can be used for video conferencing.

Folio users will not be able to access Google's Android Market, which is currently aimed solely at the smartphone market. Toshiba plans to adapt Android apps to the tablet's 1024 × 600 resolution and sell them from its own software store ("Marketplace"). There will also be an SDK for developers.

Toshiba has taken its inspiration from the current tablet king, the Apple iPad – the weight and size are similar and, in contrast to the Galaxy Tab, Samsung's €800 Android tablet, there is no provision for mobile telephony.

(crve)