Japanese computer hardware giant Toshiba, has recently announced the launch of Folio 100, a new tablet computer that will utilize Google Inc.'s recent operating system, Android. The Folio 100, is not Toshiba's first tablet computer, but is certainly the first that runs on Google Android.
The growing demand for tablet computers, specially with the success of Apple's iPad, has forced not only Toshiba, but also many other companies such as Samsung and Sharp, to meet the requirements of the tablet PC market. Earlier this week, Samsung Electronics, introduced the Galaxy Tab, its latest tablet PC running on Google Android to the world market. Sharp corporation too, unveiled prototypes of their tablet PC, which is being seen as the 'iPad of japan' by the company.
JournE was the first tablet computer, running on Microsoft Windows, launched by Toshiba. It was introduced to the European market in March this year, a month before Apple started selling iPad. The Folio 100, would hence be Toshiba's first tablet computer running Android.
Toshiba plans to launch the Folio 100 in the markets of Europe, Middle East and Africa and is yet to decide on introducing the tablet computer to the US or Japanese market. The Folio 100 comes with an attractive 10.1 inch multi-touch display and a built in webcam. The tablet PC also has built in support for Adobe flash player that distinguishes it from iPad and allows it to play videos on the internet.
Toshiba is not certain whether the company will launch a version of the Tablet PC that supports 3G connectivity, but the current model will utilize Wi-Fi to connect to networks and will cost around 399 Euros.
Even though big companies like Samsung, Toshiba and Sharp have announced their new tablet PCs, yet the U.S. market research firm iSuppli, expects the Apple iPad to outperform these tablets at least till 2012. According to iSuppli, owing to the lack of competition in the tablet PC market and with the features that Apple provides through iPad, 2012 will see a market share of about 62% in favor of the iPad.
