HTC's first Flyer tablet hasn't even gone on sale yet, but speculation is already focusing on the company's second and third models. Expected to launch this summer, they're likely to have bigger screens and run the Android 3.0 Honeycomb software.
DigiTimes bases the story on its Taiwanese touch-panel supplier sources. The article mainly focuses on the first Flyer, claiming it will go on sale "in small volumes", mainly in the US, late this month or in early April, with production only kicking into gear properly in May.
The company has run into trouble during the Flyer's production process, claims DigiTimes, although it doesn't go into details on whether these problems were related to the device itself, or just a shortage of components due to the current situation in Japan -- something that's also thought to be putting a squeeze on components for Apple's iPad 2.
The interesting part comes at the end of the story, though. "HTC plans to launch two Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) Flyer models in mid-2011, the sources indicated," it says.
That would correct one of the main drawbacks of the first Flyer, which was unveiled at Mobile Congress in February as an Android 2.4 Gingerbread device, although a Honeycomb update was expected to follow.
The new models are likely to have bigger screens too, following the same evolutionary path as Samsung's Galaxy Tab, which also had a 7-inch screen in its first incarnation. Indeed, HTC's plans for a 10-inch Flyer have already leaked out, courtesy of a list of devices in US retailer Staples' training catalogue. At the time, other Taiwanese media reports also mentioned two HTC tablets on the way in mid-2011.
What about DigiTimes' claims of production issues with the HTC Flyer, though, and what this means for the device's UK debut? Retailer Clove Technology recently put the first-gen tablet on pre-order with a £600 price and anticipated launch date of mid-April. Separately, a leaked roadmap from operator Three had the Flyer listed with a May debut.
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Comments 4
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J4M35 24 March, 2011 17:51
Hopefully they will have Super LCD displays, and far better battery life than the first Flyer.
Anonymous 24 March, 2011 18:07
Why would they even release this one to begin with. I wish they would just get straight to the good stuff. I'll be waiting htc is the only tablet I would buy.
Anonymous 3 May, 2011 20:43
(deep sigh.....)
I haven't plunged in yet, but when I do, it won't be for something as unwieldy as the current 10inch crop, and that's for sure. This size is just right, no matter what Steve Jobs says...the first Galaxy tab showed this. I watch people use tablets by the score daily, and I don't see anyone using a 10inch with ease....may as well get a mini laptop in my opinion.
I agree with you J4M35, on screen and vattety, but also on the need to be able to phone also, so that on the move you have no need to handle another device - fumbling and juggling is not what you want on the move.
Perhaps I should offer my services as freelance product tester?;)
Mathew Edwards 14 May, 2011 14:36
I don't think I want a 10 inch screen either, far too unwieldy. I'm not sure if 7 inches would definitely be enough, I'd have to try one out first. I'm thinking that 8 inches would be a good screen size though and (although I'll have to find out for sure) if anyone releases one that size I'll be more interested