Toshiba Folio 100 Android tablet hits the streets

Toshiba has added to the growing range of Android tablets with the Folio 100 priced at an affordable £329.

The 10.1in tablet was unveiled at IFA 2010 last month, and comes with a 1,024 x 600 pixel resolution screen with multi-touch capabilities and Android 2.2.

Key features include support for Flash 10.1, 16GB of internal memory with an extra 32GB supported with an SD card, a front-facing 1.3-megapixel camera and HDMI connectivity allowing full HD content to be outputted.

The Folio 100 is powered by an Nvidia Tegra 250 mobile processor, and Toshiba claims seven hours of battery life, approximately four hours of web browsing, over an hour of video and two hours of standby time.

The device comes with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, and Toshiba told V3.co.uk that a 3G version will arrive in February costing £60 to £70 more than the current model.

The Folio 100 does not have access to the Android Market, but users can choose from more than 2,000 applications at the Toshiba Market Place.

Business users will be able to synchronise email clients and use the Documents to Go feature out of the box, the firm said.

The Folio 100 is one of the larger Android tablets on the market at 281mm x 180mm x 14mm, and is heavier than Apple's iPad at 760g.

Graeme Simons, business manager for digital products and services at Toshiba, explained that the Folio 100 is designed for browsing, social networking, media consumption and e-book reading.

"This is primarily a consumer device. It is not a big phone, and is a heritage from Toshiba's background as a laptop supplier," he told V3.co.uk.

"We have had interest from the education and retail sectors. The device can be used, for example, to access network-based learning materials or to monitor stock and inventory."

Simons was keen to mention that the device will be demonstrated by retailers, and that potential customers will be able to test drive the product in store.

Toshiba will also supply a dock with three USB ports, an HDMI port and a remote control for £50, and a leather case which can act as a stand for £30.

The manufacturer has no plans to release an official keyboard attachment, but Simons expects the device to be able to connect to a range of third-party accessories.

The Folio 100 is available now exclusively from Currys and PC World for three weeks, and will then be available from other retailers priced at £329.