Telstra details their first mobile tablet, T-Touch Tab

Telstra's new T-Touch Tab device (Credit: Telstra)

Telstra has revealed more information about their upcoming mobile tablet device, the T-Touch Tab, which will compete with the likes of Apple’s iPad.

Being marketed as a “cheaper” alternative to competitors such as the iPad, Telstra is entering the market with the hopes of wooing “everyday Australians” into the tablet world with a cheaper tablet device that will join the growing range of Telstra products including the T-Box and T-Hub.

The tablet, manufactured by Huawei on behalf of Telstra, features an 7″ screen and runs Android 2.1. While the tablet doesn’t currently run Android 2.2, according to Delimiter Telstra is “testing” the 2.2 update on the device, which also boasts a 2 megapixel camera with video recording and a 800 x 480 pixel screen. According to Telstra, the device has a battery life of 150 minutes talk time or 140 hours in standby mode.

“T-Touch Tab will suit Australians’ appetite for quick and affordable access to information, useful apps and digital media wherever they may be,” Telstra Executive Director Consumer, Ms Rebekah O’Flaherty said in a statement.

Users of the device will also have full access to Google’s Android Marketplace, which gives them the ability to download more than 100,000 applications onto the tablet – which can also be used as a mobile phone.

Unlike the iPad however, the T-Touch Tab will work best with a stylus (which comes included), as the device uses a resistive screen as opposed to the iPad’s more sensitive screen, limiting multi-touch support as well.

The device however, will be available for purchase outright on a prepaid plan for just $299 as opposed to Apple’s iPad entry level pricing of $619 from the second of November. The teleco has announced a new range of “tablet ready” plans for the T-Touch Tab, with credit starting at $20 for 250MB of data on the company’s NextG network. Telstra says post-paid plans will launch in “late November.”

Update: Telstra have also revealed that the device does not support Adobe Flash – just like the iPad. Looks like that could be another problem for the T-Tab.

T-Touch Tab Specifications (Courtesy of Telstra)

Network: 3G 850/1900/2100MHz

Dimensions: 209 x 108 x 15.5mm

Weight: 500 grams

Operating System: Android™ 2.1

Apps: Thousands of Android™ 2.1 applications via Android Market™

Phone features: Voice capable, SMS/MMS capable.

Sound: Stereo speakers plus 3.5mm headphone jack.

Camera: 2 megapixel camera with video recording. Front camera for mobile codes.

Screen: 800 x 480 pixel WVGA resistive touch screen with bundled stylus.

Processor: 768MHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor.

Battery life: Talk time up to 150 minutes, video playback time up to 150 minutes,

standby time up to 140 hours.

Entertainment: MP3 player and video player handling MPEG4 (.mp4, .3gp, .3g2), H.264

(.3gp, .mp4, .3g2), H.263 (.3gp, .3g2).

Memory: 512MB internal memory with micro-SD card slot expandable up to 16GB.

Connectivity: Wi-Fi (b/g/n), Bluetooth.

Navigation: GPS built in.

Mobile broadband speeds: Typical download speeds 550kbps to 3Mbps. Actual speeds

vary due to factors such as distance from the base station, local conditions, user numbers,

hardware and software configuration.

Warranty: 24 month manufacturer warranty.

Price & availability: The Telstra T-Touch Tab can be purchased on Pre-Paid for $299 and

comes with 3GB included data and $10 call/credit to use in Australia in 30 days. It is

teamed with Telstra’s new Pre-Paid Data+ Cap Offer designed especially for Pre-Paid

tablet devices.