ICD to launch Vega tablet with Android 2.0 and nVidia Tegra processor
Following my comment yesterday on internet tablet MIDs being an emerging hot product category, a new day has brought another new candidate to add to this growing selection of products. And like many of its contemporaries, it is also running Android.
Just announced by Innovative Converged Devices (ICD), a company based in both the UK and Seattle, the Vega tablet is described as a "sleek, kitchen-friendly Android touch device." The Vega is the first in a future line of similar tablet products running Android that will be low-priced, feature-rich, HD entertainment, and information devices. Apart from running Android in its 2.0 guise, these new products will also all feature 3G and WiFi (802.11 b/g) connectivity, have a touch interface, and be powered by nVidia's Tegra processor (which is also found in the Zune HD). A variety of screen sizes will be available including a pocketable 7" model, as well as larger 11" and 15" sizes that I presume are the "kitchen-friendly" options!
Preliminary specs and concept photos are currently available on ICD's website for a Vega with a 15.6" screen with additional details including 512MB of RAM, 512MB of onboard storage, support for microSD, Bluetooth 2.1, and an inbuilt webcam and microphone for video conferencing. Unfortunately, it has been mentioned that the Vega will use a resistive rather than a capacitive touchscreen, which may be detrimental to the experience taking into account the size of the display.
The 7" model should have similar if not identical specifications. We can expect the final full specifications and hardware to be unveiled at CES in January 2010, with a release planned for the first half of the year in the North America, Latin America, Europe, and the Middle East.
I really like the stylish but very simple design of the Vega and am excited by the use of the Tegra hardware, as this should ensure the device has ample processing and graphics power. As the larger models seem destined for household use primarily, I look forward to seeing how ICD will handle the design and final specification of the 7" model with its portable size. Hopefully all will be revealed come January!
