Toshiba announces Thrive 7” Tablet: “a 7-inch tablet done right”

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Tablets - Wednesday, September 28th, 2011

Toshiba has expanded their line of consumer tablets with the Thrive 7” Tablet. Like the original ten-inch Thrive, the Thrive 7” runs on Android 3.2 and a dual-core Tegra 2 processor, but is obviously smaller for users who value portability more than screen real estate. It’s almost an exact conversion – but mini-fied, of course – of the original on paper, basically offering you the same specs right down to the 1280 x 800 resolution.

The smaller form factor does come with some differences though. To fit in the slimmer frame, all the ports on the original has been shrunk on the Thrive 7”, featuring a microSDHC card slot, micro HDMI and micro USB ports along the side. The tablet also features Bluetooth and Wi-fi connectivity, similar 5MP and 2MP cameras (main and front), and capacities of 16GB and 32GB.

How exactly is this different from any other 7-inch tablet? Carl Pinto, VP of product development described it as “a seven-inch tablet done right.” Now, we’re not exactly sure how they got it “right” on this one since the listed spec and features certainly doesn’t show anything different, but if you’re looking for a slim, compact tablet with an affordable price, then they did good on this one. The Thrive 7” is certainly light enough at 0.88 pounds, but it’s a little bit thicker than the iPad 2 or Samsung’s new Galaxy Tabs at 0.47 inches. (For comparison, the iPad 2 measures 0.34 inches thick.)

Regarding the price, we just threw the word “affordable” out there. Toshiba didn’t give out the price for this tablet yet, but since they’re selling the original 10-inch Thrive for $380 (for the basic 8GB version), it should be safe to assume that this tablet’s price won’t differ by much. The Thrive 7″ Tablet is due out in December in the US.

Press release:

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 display¹, the Thrive 7″ Tablet offers a complete tablet experience with entertainment-optimized features in an incredibly portable design that weighs under a pound² 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 display¹ 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+®³ 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 processor⁴ for blazing-fast performance for web browsing and multitasking, plus NVIDIA GeForce® graphics⁵ 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.

Image Gallery: http://bit.ly/ToshibaThrive7inch

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About Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc. (TAIS)
Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., TAIS is comprised of four business units: Digital Products Division, Imaging Systems Division, Storage Device Division, and Telecommunication Systems Division. Together, these divisions provide digital products, services and solutions, including industry-leading portable computers; televisions, TV/DVD Combination products, Blu-ray Disc and DVD products, and portable devices; imaging products for the security, medical and manufacturing markets; storage products for automotive, computer and consumer electronics applications; and IP business telephone systems with unified communications, collaboration and mobility applications. TAIS provides sales, marketing and services for its wide range of products in the United States and Latin America. TAIS is an independent operating company owned by Toshiba America, Inc., a subsidiary of Toshiba Corporation. For more information on TAIS visit us.toshiba.com.

About Toshiba Corporation
Toshiba Corporation is a world leader and innovator in pioneering high technology, a diversified manufacturer and marketer of advanced electronic and electrical products spanning digital consumer products; electronic devices and components; power systems, including nuclear energy; industrial and social infrastructure systems; and home appliances. Toshiba was founded in 1875, and today operates a global network of more than 490 companies, with 203,000 employees worldwide and annual sales surpassing 6.3 trillion yen (US$77 billion). Visit Toshiba’s web site at www.toshiba.co.jp/index.htm.