ASUS 10 inch Android tablet by Q1 2011

Asus is all set to introduce its Eee Pad in India. Initially the company will launch a ten inch pad running Android 2.3 Gingerbread operating system. Asus will offer the Eee pad in at least two configurations, one with high-end specs and the other with more basic features.
John Chen, business head, mobile communication business, India and Middle East, Asus Technology, said, “We will introduce our tablet in the first quarter of 2011. These will be ten inch tablets with Android 2.3 operating system.”
The company will also extend its cloud based services so that users can save their contacts and documents online, without needing a lot of storage on the device.
Cloud computing is web-based processing, whereby shared resources, software, and information are provided on demand over the internet to devices such as smartphones.
Chen added, “We will offer different configurations to address different customer needs. We will also bundle our cloud services with these devices, so that even customers with lower spec versions of the device can enjoy a whole range of applications.”
Asus had earlier showcased 12 inch and 7 inch versions, with a choice of Windows 7 and Android OS at an international event. It was earlier rumoured that Asus will introduce Windows 7 version first.
For the time being, however, the company will offer ten inch versions running on Android platform.
When asked about the reason, Chen said, “Ten inch is a perfect balance of mobility and usability, while seven inch is neither pocketable nor big enough. For a Windows based device we are waiting for the Windows (Phone) 7 to finally arrive. We will wait for some time to see how consumers react to it and then we will think about introducing devices based on it.”
Chen also said that these devices will come with a whole host of connectivity options such as 3G and WiMax apart from normal WiFi, Bluetooth etc.
Android 2.3 Gingerbread is the upgrade to the currently available 2.2 Froyo version of Google’s smartphone operating system. The latest version is expected to be out in the next couple of weeks.
Asus’ announcement comes at a time when several players have either announced plans to launch tablets or have already done so, such as Samsung’s GalaxyTab and Olive pad. Cisco, Lenovo, Dell and several Indian mobile brands have also announced their intentions of launching tablet devices in India.