On the eve of Amazon’s expected unveiling of a 7″ Kindle tablet Toshiba has announced their 7″ entry into the ever-more crowded field. It won’t be available until December but that does mean it will be available as a holiday gift choice.
The Toshiba Thrive 7” has an LED backlit multi-touch display with a 1280×800 resolution. It also has stereo speakers with sound enhancement by SRS® Labs. The tablet is powered by Android™ 3.2 and the NVIDIA® Tegra 2 platform. Other specs include a built-in Gyroscope, two HD cameras: a five megapixel camera with an LED flash on the back and a two megapixel camera on the front for video chatting. It will be available 16GB or 32GB versions and connectivity will include Mini USB, Micro HDMI® and a Micro SD card slot, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
Because the Thrive 7” Tablet is smaller than its older sibling it weighs just 0.88 pounds and is just under half an inch thick. (My biggest issue with the larger Thrive was the bulky and thickness of the tablet.)
Speaking of the Thrive 7″ Carl Pinto, vice president of product development, Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., said, “This is a seven-inch tablet done right,” “The Thrive 7” Tablet is the first seven-inch tablet in the U.S. market to offer a true HD display that when combined with the selection of ports, premium audio, and a better, more robust Android experience make it a great choice for on-the-go consumers looking for a no-compromise tablet.”
I’m a fan of the smaller 7″ form-factor, although the 5″ Samsung Galaxy S WiFi that arrived yesterday is quite nice! I’m glad to see Toshiba willing to compete in this market and hope to have a chance to review one when they arrive in a few months.
The full review follows.
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TOSHIBA EXPANDS TABLET FAMILY WITH NEW 7-INCH MODEL
Thrive 7” Tablet, Powered by Android, Features Brilliant Hi-Res Display in Compact, Lightweight Design for Consumers On-the-Go
IRVINE, Calif. — Sept. 27, 2011 — Toshiba’s Digital Products Division (DPD), a division of Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., today announced the addition of the Thrive™ 7” Tablet to its expanding line-up of consumer tablet devices. Featuring a brilliant hi-resolution seven-inch diagonal touch display[i], the Thrive 7” Tablet offers a complete tablet experience with entertainment-optimized features in an incredibly portable design that weighs under a pound[ii] and fits comfortably in the palm of your hand.
“This is a seven-inch tablet done right,” said Carl Pinto, vice president of product development, Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., Digital Products Division. “The Thrive 7” Tablet is the first seven-inch tablet in the U.S. market to offer a true HD display that when combined with the selection of ports, premium audio, and a better, more robust Android experience make it a great choice for on-the-go consumers looking for a no-compromise tablet.”
Optimized for HD Entertainment
The Thrive 7” Tablet’s LED backlit AutoBrite™ multi-touch display features a stunning 1280×800 resolution, putting bright and crisp images from movies, photos, books and games right in your hand. The tablet also incorporates Toshiba’s exclusive Adaptive Display and Resolution+®[iii] video enhancement technologies. The tablet includes stereo speakers tuned with sound enhancement technologies from Toshiba and SRS® Labs that deliver richer audio in music and movies with more natural sound and enhanced clarity.
Powered by Android™ 3.2 and the NVIDIA® Tegra™ 2 platform, this tablet delivers a dual-core processor[iv] for blazing-fast performance for web browsing and multitasking, plus NVIDIA GeForce® graphics[v] for console quality gaming. A built-in Gyroscope offers hands-on motion control for the latest Android games. The tablet also includes two HD cameras: a five megapixel camera with an LED flash on the back for capturing high-quality pictures and video on the go, plus a two megapixel camera on the front for video chatting. Toshiba will offer the tablet in two configurations, 16GB or 32GB.
Compact, Lightweight Design
The Thrive 7” Tablet weighs only 0.88 pounds2 and measures just under half an inch thin (0.47 inches), allowing it to fit easily into a bag or jacket. Not just lightweight and easy to carry, the tablet is built for handheld comfort and on-the-go durability, featuring Toshiba’s stylishly durable and slip-resistant Easy Grip finish.
Better Connected
Designed for continuity with other digital devices, the Thrive 7” Tablet includes a selection of built-in ports, including Mini USB, Micro HDMI® and a Micro SD card slot, giving consumers the ability to easily sync and share their content. The tablet also includes Toshiba’s exclusive File Manager utility that gives users the power to easily move and manage files.
Offering convenient Wi-Fi® and Bluetooth® connectivity, the Thrive 7” Tablet delivers all the essentials needed to stay connected at home or away. Users can browse the web with Adobe® Flash™ support, take advantage of maps and location-based apps with integrated GPS and enjoy the full suite of popular Google™ Mobile Service applications and Android apps via the Android Market™.
Availability
The Thrive 7” Tablet will be available in December at major U.S. retailers, e-tailers and ToshibaDirect.com.
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