MWC: HP announces a 7in Android tablet

BARCELONA: MAKER OF EXPENSIVE PRINTER INK HP today announced its first Android-powered tablet, the 7in HP Slate7.

Unveiled at Mobile World Congress, the tablet sees HP abandoning its now defunct webOS operating system in favour of Google's Android 4.1 Jelly Bean software. According to HP, this is part of its push to offer the full 'Google experience,' with the tablet boasting one-touch access to the likes of Google Now, Drive and Mail.

On the spec front, the HP Slate7 also features a nippy 1.6GHz ARM dual-cortex A9 quad-core processor, 3MP and 0.3MP dual cameras and integrated Beats Audio technology, as the firm eyes rivals HTC.

"To address the growing interest in tablets among consumers and businesses alike, HP will offer a range of form factors and leverage an array of operating systems," said Alberto Torres, senior vice president of HP's Mobility Global Business Unit.

"Our new HP Slate7 on Android represents a compelling entry point for consumer tablets, while our ground-breaking, business-ready HP ElitePad on Windows 8 is ideal for enterprises and governments. Both deliver the service and support people expect from HP."

While HP is yet to out the tablet's full specifications, the firm tells us that it will make its debut in the US in two month's time with an affordable $169 price-tag.

This price tag is no doubt to try and lure customers away from similarly price tablets, as it's no secret that HP hasn't previously done so well in the tablet space. Its webOS tablet, the HP Touchpad, was a well-known flop, and it's widely speculated that its Windows 8 powered tablet devices haven't been selling like hotcakes, either. 

Check back soon for our hands-on with the HP Slate7. µ