HTC has launched its first tablet ‘Flyer’ in India, the Android 2.4 based tablet comes with a new HTC Sense user interface designed for tablets.
“HTC believes that many people are progressing beyond a single wireless device paradigm into an era where some will own multiple wireless devices that serve their different needs,” said Faisal Siddiqui, country manager, HTC India .
One of the unique features of the tablet is its stylus, being a capacitive touch screen device, it is the only one to have stylus support, HTC calls this HTC scribe technology. With this technology HTC Flyer users will no longer need pen and paper to take notes, sign contracts or draw pictures as now they can do it directly on their tablet screen with the help of stylus. Apart from that users can even write on a web page or photo which they are viewing on tablet screen.
HTC Watch, a new connected video service which is also available on HTC Sentation , is also available on the tablet. It enables low-cost on-demand progressive downloading of hundreds (in HTC sensation only movies trailers were there, so we hope that in Flyer movies will become available with Indian prices) of High-Definition movies from major studios.
For the gamers HTC has collaborate with OnLive, to launch the first cloud-based mobile gaming service on a tablet.This service will enable customers to pipe the OnLive service through the HTC Flyer tablet’s Broadband wireless to their television sets, or let them play directly on the tablet. Using this service people can play a variety of games, including hits like Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood, NBA 2K11 and Lego Harry Potter.
HTC Flyer’s tablet-focused HTC Sense has a unique 3D home screen. Widgets options are also present, which allows great level of customisation. HTC’s Sense UI has been appreciated by smartphone users, and it is expected that this new version for tablet will also be accepted well. The HTC Flyer tablet also supports both Flash 10 and HTML 5.
A feature called Timemark is also incorporated in the the tablet that will enable users to capture the audio of a meeting in line with their written notes, so tapping on a word in your notes instantly takes you to that exact place in time in the audio recording of the meeting.
Notes are also integrated with the calendar so when there is an appointment reminder you are automatically prompted with an opportunity to begin a new note or in the case of recurring meetings, to continue where the last meeting left off. HTC Flyer tablet also features built-in synchronization with Evernote A , the world-leading notes application and service.
The tablet is made of single piece sleek aluminum body. It comes with a seven-inch display, fast 1.5Ghz Processor and high-speed HSPA+(3G) wireless capabilities.
The Flyer had been priced at Rs. 39,890 , which is kind of very high and brings it in direct competition with Apple iPad2’s fully loaded versions. This is not a good thing as iPad already commands a big fan following, which will be tough to beat at this price point. Moreover Flyer is smaller than iPad (though more powerful).
This tablet is currently the market leader in terms of specification, but if price correction doesn’t happed soon, we do not see too many buyers flocking the stores to buy it.