Viewsonic, provider of consumer electronics, industry innovation and enterprise solutions, has indicated that it is planning on releasing its first WiMax tablet, a 7-inch Android (News - Alert) Honeycomb device.
WiMax, a 4G technology, is much faster than the currently available 3G networks. While the government-run BSNL (News - Alert) currently runs the largest network of this service, 4G services will be launched by the end of 2011 or the beginning of 2012 by other game players such as Airtel (News - Alert), Aircel, Tikona and Reliance Infotel. However, it is not certain if any of these operators will employ WiMax or LTE 4G technology options.
In a release, Ajay Sharma, country manager of Viewsonic India, said, "We will launch a 7 inch Android Honeycomb tablet this Diwali, and this will be our first tablet with WiMax network support. It will be a very important launch for us as the country prepares to usher the 4G era."
Viewsonic's Android Honeycomb tablet will probably be similar to the device with was displayed earlier at Computex (a trade fair) in Taipei. The tablet displayed in Taipei, at 380 grams, was a light weight tablet. The device, which will be priced between Rs 30,000-35,000, is expected to have at least a 1 GHz Tegra 2 processor, a pair of cameras, and USB, HDMI output among several other features.
While network operators have had spectrum since September 2010 and even though the 4G spectrum auction was held immediately after the 3G auction, network operators have not announced their plans on the choice of technology (WiMax or LTE (News - Alert)) they are keen on adopting. Operators are also being tight-lipped over announcing a potential launch date of services.
Reliance Infotel, the only service provider to have a pan-India spectrum license, is likely to launch its services using WiMax technology. The introduction of the new tablet form Viewsonic will provide extensive capabilities to both users and operators.
ViewSonic is a provider of consumer electronics, industry innovation and enterprise solutions for devices such as LCD displays, All-in One PCs, computers, HDTVs, tablets, projectors, digital signage, digital photo frames.