14 DAY TRIAL // Chinese handset maker delivered last year the first 7-inch tablet with Android 3.2 Honeycomb onboard, the MediaPad. Today, at the International Consumer Electronics Show, the company announced that its 7-inch slate would be shipped with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich beginning Q1 2012.
In addition, Huawei announced the upcoming availability of MediaPad color series, which adds three new colors: shadow black, classic brown and passion pink.
Unfortunately, the so-called “fashionable MediaPads” will be delivered with Android 3.2 Honeycomb operating system, but owners will probably receive the Ice Cream Sandwich soon after.
Obviously, all MediaPad versions have similar spec sheets, such as 7-inch IPS capacitive touchscreen with 800 x 1280 pixels resolution, 1.2 GHz dual-core processor and 4100 mAh Li-Polymer battery, which is rated by the manufacturer for up to 200 hours of standby time or up to 6 hours of continuous use.
“In a tablet market defined by staid black and white tablets, the new colorful MediaPad offers a personalized look without the need for an external case,” said Richard Yu, chairman, Huawei Device.
According to Huawei, the MediaPad color series and the original MediaPad with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich will be available in selected markets in the first quarter of 2012.
Keep in mind that the Chinese company plans to deliver an OTA (over the air) Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich upgrade to all customers who already purchased the MediaPad tablet. This will most likely happen in first quarter of 2012, Huawei claims.
If Huawei is true to its promise, the MediaPad will be among the first, if not really the first 7-inch slate to be delivered with Ice Cream Sandwich onboard.
“With a hardware package that includes a high-quality screen, a powerful dual-core processor, and long battery life, these colorful MediaPad embodies a rare combination of style and performance,” concluded Yu.