Toshiba To Bring Android Tablet Into The Mix
Toshiba wants to take their own stab at Apple and the iPad as they plan to roll out a number of “slate” devices this year. Alongside a dual-screen Windows-equipped tablet (sound familiar?), they are looking at a 10-inch form-factor akin to what you see with the WePad or the iPad. The tablet, which would have a lower price tag thanks to its Android roots, will focus primarily on users that consume a lot of media such as music, pictures, videos, and possibly eBooks (a healthy departure from the business focus that these tablets usually aim for).
Speaking to Reuters, Toshiba’s general manager of digital products Jeff Barney expresses their plans for market expansion, saying:
We definitely see a place for the slate, we see there’s a market there. It’ll be expansive like netbooks, it won’t be cannibalistic.
He also mentioned that they are in talks with a number of partners to bring content to the devices. A change of paradigms is definitely occurring: we move from looking for the next Android-equipped iPhone killer to the next Android-equipped iPad killer. Apple clearly has a strong hold on the portable devices market and they aren’t ready to give it up so easily. No dates or detailed pricing information has been given regarding the Android-powered slate yet, but we’ll keep our ear to the internet for details.