Fuhu’s Nabi XD to bring a 10 inch “tweener” tablet for the holidays

Fuhu, the same company who brought us the nabi Jr. tablet late last month, has announced forthcoming availability of the nabi XD. No, the tablet does not exist for the sole purpose of making you laugh uncontrollably (though a few funny games might do just that). The nabi XD is Fuhu’s tablet for “tweeners,” those children who aren’t young but not particularly too old, either.

It’ll feature a 10 inch display with 1366×768 HD resolution and NVIDIA’s quad-core Tegra 3 processor. It’ll also feature 10-hour battery life, both front and rear cameras, NFC, Bluetooth and more. For software, it’d be running Android 4.1 Jelly Bean but not without Fuhu’s customizations on top of that.

It’s a “smart 3D” user interface called “Kanzi,” and it utilizes grids to display whatever apps, widgets and gadget you want depending on where you are and what time it is. These element automatically update with live information if the widget supports that. It sounds a tad like Windows Phone’s Metro UI in that regard.

The tablet will be compatible with a “pad-folio” accessory that turns the device into a notebook. The pad-folio features an integrated silicone keyboard cover that protects it while offering a nice typing experience at the same time. We’re also told that the tablet and keyboard are made out of aluminum so build quality should be no concern here.

We’ve got a late December window for availability, though Fuhu says this will be a limited launched. A full launch won’t come until mid January. We’re not sure just how “limited” things will be but hopefully a pre-order opportunity will spring up. As far as pricing goes, a 16GB model can be had for $250, while 32GB will cost you just $100 more. Read on for full press details.

Fuhu, Inc. Unveils nabi™ XD: The World’s First Android Ultraportable for Tweens at $249

 

Fuhu, Inc. defines a new market for tablet users with its nabi™ XD, positioned as a tween’s first tablet with a keyboard dedicated to homework, gaming, social networking and kid-safe browsing

 

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Dec. 12, 2012 – Fuhu, Inc., the leader in tablets made just for kids, today unveiled the new nabi™ XD: an ultraportable tablet that combines the best of a notebook and tablet PC with an amazing 10.1-inch high-definition in-plane-switching (IPS), five-point capacitive touch screen. Positioned to be your tweens’ first portable computer, nabi XD features an NVIDIA® Tegra® 3 4-PLUS-1™ quad-core processor, Android™ 4.1 Jelly Bean, front and back cameras, near field communications (NFC) technology, 10-hours of battery life and the 10.1-inch screen – all for only $249. The nabi XD is a first of its kind, an Android ultraportable tablet with productivity apps, incredible console quality gaming, modified parental controls for browsing and a dynamic and intelligent gadget-based user interface that adapts based on the time of day and location.

 

Featuring the NVIDIA Tegra 3 4-PLUS-1 quad-core processor

nabi XD features a beautiful 10.1-inch IPS 1366×768 HD capacitive touch screen running the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean operating system. The NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor with a 5th battery saver core helps extend battery life so that nabi XD can go up to 10 hours between charges.

 

nabi XD introduces an affordable yet incredibly powerful, ultraportable hybrid tablet and notebook solution with pad-folio and integrated silicone keyboard cover

nabi XD features a sleek aluminum body that mirrors nabi’s trademarked flared corner design built for a long a productive life. Fuhu designers and engineers spent countless hours ensuring that each nabi is built with unmatched precision — meticulously thinking through every little detail. The result is a beautiful, thin, light, polished and refined look that feels incredibly strong and durable. Combined with its patent-pending optional pad-folio and integrated silicone keyboard cover that provides a traditional typing feel, nabi XD is your tweens’ ultimate first tablet PC.

 

“Smart” 3-D User Interface

In partnership with Rightware®’s Kanzi® user interface solution (UI), nabi XD is taking UIs to the next level. A tiled grid of dynamically updating gadgets, widgets and apps headlines the new UI. Pin as many gadgets as you like and move them around just the way you want. Define time and location based rules that dictate when and where your favorite gadgets show up. Want news in the morning and games in the evening? Create a rule for that! nabi XD’s UI lets you create multiple home screens each with your own layout of widgets, gadgets and apps. nabi XD’s home screen gadgets are designed to give you the most relevant information that you want, when you want it. Set rules for your home screens based on GPS locations, Wi-Fi networks and time, allowing you to define which home screen is the most relevant for any situation.

 

Incredible Gaming Experiences

nabi XD will be the first of the nabi family of tablets to feature NFC technologies. NFC allows you to sync devices simply by touching them together – Great for Bluetooth syncing or sync nabi’s exclusive family of 16 figurines with your nabi XD and challenge them to amazing battles while leveling up your unique character. Watch out for the Battle KINABIs™ game and figurines made for nabi XD!

 

“nabi XD features the most powerful specifications and brilliant display of the nabi tablet family. We are excited about what these new features bring to gaming and content,” said Fuhu’s CEO Jim Mitchell. “nabi XD represents a real transition in personal portable computing with an introduction of an Android-based productivity and gaming device.”

 

Pricing and Availability

The 10.1-inch nabi XD will be available late December in limited release and mid-January nationwide. The 16 GB model will be priced MSRP $249 and 32 GB for MSRP $349. Pad-folio and numerous other accessories will be available mid-January ranging from MSRP$19.99 and MSRP$89.99.