By Patrick Avenell (Follow me on Twitter)
Huawei overnight launched its new MediaPad tablet device at a conference in Singapore. Billed as the world’s first 7-inch Android 3.2 tablet device, the MediaPad is a combination HSPA and Wi-Fi device, most comparable with Samsung’s original Galaxy Tab.
Where it steps up from the Galaxy Tab, however, is significant. It has a Qualcomm dual core 1.2Ghz processor and improvements in dimensions. Huawei quotes of depth of 10.5 millimetres on the MediaPad and a weight of 390 grams, making it the “slimmest and lightest tablet yet”, according to the release.
Other listed features of the device are Full HD video playback, 5- and 1.3-megapixel rear and front cameras, an HDMI port and an In-Plane Switching (IPS) touchscreen.
This device will be able to access Huawei’s Hi-Space cloud system for access to remote content.
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What we don’t know yet is when this device will be released in Australia, how much it will cost, whether it will be sold through retailers, telcos or a combination of both and how it feels to use. Current.com.au has trialled many, many tablet devices over the last 18 months, with each experience varying based on the make and feel of the device.
When we posed these questions to Huawei we received the following response from a spokesperson:
“Huawei is currently in talks with all Australian operators, with local release details and pricing yet to be confirmed. Overseas pricing is to be confirmed also. Regarding local channel strategy, again we are in talks with a number of local retailers but details and pricing yet to be confirmed.”
The MediaPad is expected to be showcased to media next Thursday (29 June 2011) at an Huawei press conference.
The new Huawei MediaPad.