Skip to main content

HTC launching Android tablet in March?

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Although HTC hasn’t made any formal announcements—and was noticeably tight-lipped at this month’s CES show in Las Vegas—DigiTimes is reporting that component manufacturers supplying HTC say the company is getting ready to launch three Android-powered tablets—and the first one could launch in the United States as early as March.

Dubbed “Flyer,” the first tablet will apparently be a 7-inch Android device running Android 2.3, and HTC plans to launch it with a U.S. mobile carrier in March, potentially beating highly-anticipated products like the Motorola Xoom and the RIM PlayBook to market. (A March launch date would likely put it on shelves before Apple’s expected update to the Apple iPad, too.)

DigiTimes reports HTC will follow up the Flyer with two as-yet-unnamed tablets by the middle of 2011: those tablets will feature the tablet-optimized Android 3.0 “Gingerbread.”

Manufacturers are scrambling to bring Android-based tablets to markets to compete with the Apple iPad, which so far is dominating the nascent tablet computing market. Apple managed to sell a stunning 14 million iPads from April through December of 2010; so far, the iPad’s primarily competitor is the smaller Samsung Galaxy Tab, which has sold more than 1 million units since its launch in October.

Editors' Recommendations

Geoff Duncan
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…
Best Samsung tablet deals: Get an Android tablet from $99
Recent apps view on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra.

If you've been checking out all the latest tablet deals for an opportunity to buy a Samsung tablet for less, we've got your back. We've got all the best Samsung tablet deals listed below, neatly rounded up so you can quickly find the right slate for your needs. The options below cover many different price ranges so whether you're looking for something cheap and cheerful or something more high-end, you're in luck here. If you want something more fruit-flavored, we also have all the best iPad deals rounded up too.
Best Samsung tablet deal

You won't see the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite on any best Android tablet lists but that isn't to say it's not worth checking out. The tablet is ideal for entertaining your kids on a long journey or for you to grab when you want some downtime. It has a compact 8.7-inch screen with a sturdy metal frame to protect it. A long lasting battery is useful for those equally lengthy journeys so you can be hooked on YouTube or your favorite streaming service with no interruption. It also has multi-device connectivity if you have other Samsung devices so it's simple to swap between your other phones or tablets. Right now, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite is down to $99, reduced from $126, at Walmart, so you save $27. It's an excellent deal if you just want something simple yet useful for occasional tablet use.

Read more
I found the perfect Android tablet to buy this year
Man holds Blackview Active 8 Pro rugged Android tablet in black color with a leather strap.

The iPad primarily dominates the market for tablets despite an exceptionally powerful battalion of great Android tablets. In the lower price ranges, however, Android dominates with countless offerings — often from lesser-known brands. With Google's reignited interest in the tablet segment, brands like OnePlus put up great competition -- even challenging the iPad -- in the sub-$500 segment. But as you go lower in price, you may find brands cutting costs to stay profitable in the competitive market.

The Blackview Active 8 Pro feels like an exception, with solid and reliable hardware, an everlasting battery, and a desktop-like experience that isn't seen on tablets higher up the price ladder. For just $360 (and potentially even cheaper during the holiday shopping season), this tablet feels appropriate whether you have an active lifestyle, are just looking for a secondary device to feed your appetite for sofa-tainment, or dedicate a device for your kids.

Read more
This strange accessory did something amazing to my iPad
Person working on iPad Pro with Xreal Air 2 connected.

Apple has been trying to sell the idea of using an iPad — the Pro model, specifically — as a legitimate computing machine for a while. It started with putting a Mac-borrowed M-series silicon inside the tablet, followed by bringing Stage Manager to the tablet.

Then came desktop-grade productivity apps like Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, and Da Vinci Resolve, preceded by Microsoft 365 and Adobe’s editing tools. The ability to plug in an external monitor is also neat for a tablet, but that restricts you to a table.

Read more