Toshiba shows off 10.1 inch Android tablet

By Eric Brown
2010-09-02

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Toshiba Europe announced a 10.1-inch Android 2.2 media tablet, due for a fourth quarter release in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The Folio 100 runs Android 2.2 on an Nvidia Tegra 2 processor and offers a 10.1-inch, WSVGA display, but it lacks both GPS and Android Market access.

The previously tipped Folio 100 was fully exposed earlier this week by NotebookItalia, which ran a photo of a tablet as well as technical details that appear to match up perfectly with Toshiba's specs.

Toshiba Folio 100
(Click to enlarge)

The Folio 100 runs Android 2.2 on the Nvidia Tegra 2. A clock rate wasn't listed, but this ARM Cortex-A9-based processor is generally clocked at either 1GHz or 1.2GHz.

As noted in our previous coverage, Toshiba has paired Android 2.1 with a 1GHz Tegra 2 on its Toshiba AC100 netbook (pictured), which just started shipping in Japan, and which offers almost identical features except for the presence of the keyboard.

The Folio 100 is equipped with 16GB of internal flash, as well as a SD/MMC card reader. According to Toshiba, the tablet boots up in under 30 seconds.

The Folio 100 runs Android 2.2, but lacks Android Market access.

The Folio 100 features a 10.1-inch, 1024 x 600, capacitive multitouch display, says Toshiba. Other Folio 100 features include 802.11b/g/n and Bluetooth 2.1, but there's no GPS. A 3G-ready version will be available in some countries in 1Q 2011, says Toshiba.

The Folio 100 is equipped with a USB 2.0 port with both client and hub functions, as well as a 1.3-megapixel webcam, but there's no additional camera. Other features are said to include a mini-HDMI port, a microphone, speakers, an audio jack, and accelerometers.

Detail from NetbookNews demo video (see farther below)
(Click to enlarge)

The Folio 100's 1020mAh battery is said to offer up to seven hours of life with mixed use, which is defined as including video playback only ten percent of the time, and 25 percent of the time on standby. This seems fairly underpowered, but as with the lack of GPS or a high-powered camera, this seems to suggest the Folio 100 is intended as an "indoor cat," suitable for the kitchen counter or the TV den couch.

The tablet measures 11.06 x 7.13 x 0.55 inches (281 x 181 x 14mm), and weighs 760 grams, says Toshiba. This is slightly less than the 10.1-inch Hannspree Tablet (790 grams), but nowhere near the amazingly light (480 grams), 10.1-inch Archos 101. Both tablets were announced earlier this week.

Most of the new details supplied by Toshiba on the Folio 100 regard software. The Android 2.2 tablet is equipped with Adobe's Flash 10.1, which is good news. However, like the Hansspree and Archos tablets, but unlike the seven-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab announced earlier today, the Folio 100 lacks Android Market support.

Instead one receives the Toshiba Market Place, touted as "a service that offers easy access to various download choices for multimedia content, services and apps." The Market Place includes a Music Place site supplied by 7Digital, as well as a Radio Place for Internet radio services. The App Place, meanwhile, lets users download "applications compatible with the Folio 100."

Toshiba does not list the number of apps provided, but says that a developer portal is available that "provides support for app optimization." A link to this ToshibaTouch.eu site may be found farther below.

Other Folio 100 software includes the Opera Mobile web browser, a Toshiba Media Player, and the FBReader e-book reader, says the company. Preinstalled apps are also said to include the Document To Go office suite, the Evernote note-taking software, and the Fring video calling app. DLNA streaming media sharing support is also said to be available.

Stated Marco Perino, general manager, Digital Life Products and Services, "We encourage users and developers to join our Folio 100 eco-system to create and offer apps, games and other content for Folio 100. We also invite users to participate in the Folio community by suggesting ideas to developers to pursue."

YouTube video of the Folio 100 from NetbookNews
Source: NetbookNews; YouTube
(Click to play)

Availability

The Toshiba Folio 100 is set for a fourth quarter release throughout Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, says Toshiba. According to Fonearena, the tablet will be available in the U.K. from October for 329 Pounds (currently $506) inclusive of VAT.

The Toshiba development site for its touch devices, including the Folio 100 and its Journ.E Touch device may be found here.

The NetbookNews report on the Folio 100 may be found here. The Fonearena story on the tablet may be found here.

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