Two years ago I bought a VIZIO HDTV from Woot. It was inexpensive and, to be honest, I didn’t expect much from it or for it to last all that long. I was wrong on both counts. The TV works well and is still going strong. It is because of that experience that the company’s new 8″ Tablet caught my eye. With a price of under $300 one might quickly dismiss it as “cheap” but I’ve come to know better. Yes, the tablet may be less expensive than the others Android devices we have seen but it also has some great features that distinguish it from the pack.
Two stand-out features that look quite attractive are the three-speaker design that delivers stereo audio whether the device is in landscape and portrait and the tight integration with home theater setups thanks to the tablet’s built-in IR blaster and universal remote control app. Let’s spend a minute on the latter feature. As the New Release explains,
The VIZIO Tablet features VIZIO Internet Apps® Plus which combines the latest technologies with a unified, easy-to-use and fun user interface across select future VIZIO HDTV’s, Blu-ray® players and other devices — further differentiating the sleek VIZIO Tablet. In addition, the new Tablet is able to control nearly every element of a user’s home theater with a universal remote app and includes a built-in HDMI port with HDCP support for content protected HD playback on the big screen.
With universal remotes costing $100, $200 or even more for just the remote this feature makes the VIZIO tablet a steal! As Matt McRae, Chief Technology Officer of VIZIO notes,
VIZIO set out to build an innovative tablet that breaks new ground and addresses the gaps in current offerings in the market,” The VIZIO Tablet offers a superior multimedia experience with its three speaker design, home theater integration with IR, and a perfect size for typing, eBooks, gaming and portability. These innovations and our ground breaking price push the category forward and deliver on our brand promise of Entertainment Freedom For All.
The VIZIO tablet is available now and we will have one in hand for review shortly. For more information visit the Vizio web site.
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VIZIO’s New 8” Tablet Delivers Knock Out Video, Audio and App-based Entertainment at sub-$300 Price Point
- VIZIO Tablet to shake up the marketplace by offering intuitive tablet experience at a price point that extends availability to the masses
- Unique three-speaker design delivers stereo audio in both landscape and portrait modes
- Control Your Entire Home Theater with the VIZIO Tablet’s built-in universal remote control app
- Built-in 802.11n WiFi and Bluetooth® capabilities offer optimum connectivity with multiple devices
Irvine, CA—August 08, 2011 — VIZIO, America’s #1 LCD HDTV company, announced today the new VIZIO 8” Tablet with WiFi is arriving at retailers nationwide. As part of VIZIO’s continued commitment to deliver great technology at a superior value, the sleek, feature-filled, Android-powered VIZIO Tablet is now available at Sam’s Club, Walmart, Costco, Amazon, and other VIZIO retailers at a breakthrough price of $299.
The VIZIO Tablet features VIZIO Internet Apps® Plus which combines the latest technologies with a unified, easy-to-use and fun user interface across select future VIZIO HDTV’s, Blu-ray® players and other devices — further differentiating the sleek VIZIO Tablet. In addition, the new Tablet is able to control nearly every element of a user’s home theater with a universal remote app and includes a built-in HDMI port with HDCP support for content protected HD playback on the big screen.“We are excited that VIZIO is listening, once again, to what the marketplace is asking for with a high performance sub $300 Tablet,” said Tim Farmer, Costco. “VIZIO’s reputation is built on affordable technology and entertainment and this product is expected to generate a strong consumer response.”
By offering cutting edge technology and exceptional features at a competitive category price, the VIZIO Tablet is ideal for a wide range of users. With support for Adobe® Flash®, casual gamers, movie, TV and music enthusiasts are able to enjoy rich content and applications on the go. It also comes equipped with a unique three-speaker configuration, strategically placed for stereo sound in landscape or portrait mode.
Additionally, parents looking to entertain their children on-the-go can quickly access the Android Market™ which gives access to hundreds of thousands of apps, including educational programs, games and eBooks.**
With back-to-school season in full swing, students will also find the sleek VIZIO Tablet an ideal and fun compliment to a busy year as it makes checking email, news and social networks as simple as ever. Multiple storage options make saving assignments and downloading music a breeze with a MicroSD™ slot that allows consumers the freedom to expand memory up to 32GB for optimal organization and entertainment.
“VIZIO set out to build an innovative tablet that breaks new ground and addresses the gaps in current offerings in the market,” said Matt McRae, Chief Technology Officer, VIZIO. “The VIZIO Tablet offers a superior multimedia experience with its three speaker design, home theater integration with IR, and a perfect size for typing, eBooks, gaming and portability. These innovations and our ground breaking price push the category forward and deliver on our brand promise of Entertainment Freedom For All.”
About VIZIO
VIZIO, Inc., “Entertainment Freedom For All™,” headquartered in Irvine, California, is America’s HDTV and Consumer Electronics Company. In 2007, VIZIO skyrocketed to the top by becoming the #1 selling brand of flat panel HDTVs in North America and became the first American brand in over a decade to lead in U.S. TV shipments. Since 2007, VIZIO LCD HDTV shipments remain in the TOP ranks in the U.S. and was #1 for the total year in both 2009 and 2010. VIZIO is committed to bringing feature-rich consumer electronics to market at a value through practical innovation. VIZIO offers a broad range of award winning consumer electronics. VIZIO’s products are found at Costco Wholesale, Sam’s Club, Walmart, Target, BJ’s Wholesale, and other retailers nationwide along with authorized online partners. VIZIO has won numerous awards including a #1 ranking in the Inc. 500 for Top Companies in Computers and Electronics, Fast Company’s 6th Most Innovative CE Company of 2009, and made the lists of Ad Age’s Hottest Brands, Good Housekeeping’s Best Big-Screens, CNET’s Editor’s Choice, PC World’s Best Buy and OC Metro’s 10 Most Trustworthy Brands among many other prestigious honors. For more information, please call 888-VIZIOCE or visit on the web at www.VIZIO.com. The V, VIZIO, VIZIO Internet Apps (V.I.A.), Theater 3D, Full Array TruLED, Edge Lit Razor LED, 240Hz SPS, 480Hz SPS, Entertainment Freedom and Entertainment Freedom For All names, logos and phrase are registered or unregistered trademarks of VIZIO, Inc. All other trademarks may be the property of their respective holders.Android and Android Market are trademarks of Google, Inc.
* Applies to most home theater devices, which are IR controllable.
**WiFi or 3G/4G connectivity is required to download apps, programs, games and eBooks
Press Contacts for VIZIO:
Jim Noyd
Noyd Communications Inc.
T: 310-951-3768
E: jim.noyd@noydcom.comCharley Fitzwilliam
Leader Enterprises
T: 949-579-0405
E: cfitzwilliam@leaderenterprises.com[/showhide]
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