Huawei Announces New MediaPad Series [CES 2012]


Coming off the announcement of “World’s thinnest smartphone,” Huawie has introduced a new series of MediaPad tablets. The first announcement was for Huawei’s new MediaPad, which appears to be the same as the original MediaPad released in June, but will come pre-installed with Android 4.0. This would make the MediaPad one of the world’s first tablets to come pre-loaded with the new Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich operating system. I guess Huawei is really going for those “world’s first” titles. Besides the new MediaPad with Ice Cream Sandwich, Huawei has announced a new MediaPad color series.

The MediaPad color series will also feature the same specs as the original but will come in three new colors: shadow black, classic brown, and passion pink. The MediaPad color series will come with Android 3.2 (Honeycomb) but should be updated to ICS around Q1 of this year. If you’d like a recap on the MediaPad’s specs, here it goes:

  • 7″ LCD WXGA (1280×800 IPS) display
  • 1080P Full HD video playback
  • A Qualcomm dual-core 1.2 GHz processor
  • 5MP AF rear camera
  • 1.3MP front-facing camera
  • Up to 32GB micro SD
  • 4100mAh battery

No info on price but both new MediaPad tablets should be available in selected markets in the first quarter of 2012. View the full press release below for more information.

Huawei’s MediaPad Now Comes with Android 4.0
Huawei also unveils new MediaPad color series, operating on Android 3.2
Las Vegas, USA, January 10, 2012: Huawei, a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider, today announced that the Huawei MediaPad is now one of the world’s first tablets to come pre-loaded with the new Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich operating system. First launched in June 2011, the original MediaPad was the world’s first 7-inch Android 3.2 tablet. This latest version of the MediaPad once again provides users with the very latest Android experience, along with access to the newest and hottest services and apps available in the Android marketplace.
Huawei also unveiled its new MediaPad color series – fashionable MediaPads in three new colors: shadow black, classic brown, and passion pink and running on Android 3.2. Both MediaPad versions have a high-quality display, with screen resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels at 217 PPI and supporting 1080P Full HD video playback. Additionally, they come with a Qualcomm dual-core 1.2 GHz processor and have a battery capacity of six hours or more.
“In a tablet market defined by staid black and white tablets, the new colorful MediaPad offers a personalized look without the need for an external case,” said Richard Yu, Chairman, Huawei Device. “With a hardware package that includes a high-quality screen, a powerful dual-core processor, and long battery life, these colorful MediaPad embodies a rare combination of style and performance.”
Huawei’s new MediaPad color series and the MediaPad with Android 4.0 will be available in selected markets in the first quarter of 2012. Existing MediaPad owners will receive an OTA Android 4.0 upgrade to their tablets by the first quarter of 2012.
About Huawei Device
Huawei Device believes that everyone can be the center of information and that the world would be a better place if access and information barriers were knocked down. Its strong suite of mobile phones, mobile broadband devices and home devices is testimony to Huawei Device’s focus on customers and its commitment to providing user-friendly mobile internet experiences through ongoing innovation. Based on more than two decades of success in the information and communications industry, and with our own channel expertise, operational capabilities and global partner resources, Huawei Device is transforming from a company that sells millions of devices in single transactions to large businesses, to a “Business-to-People” (B2P) brand that also sells individual devices directly to millions of people. As at the end of 2011, Huawei Device serves more than 500 operators all over the world. For more information, visit Huawei Device online: www.huaweidevice.com