Freescale Semiconductor has unveiled prototypes for an Internet-enabled tablet computer that would measure one-third of the size of the average netbook. However, it would have up to four times the viewing area of a typical smartphone.

The tablet computer prototypes would be demonstrated on January 7-10 at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The device looks similar to an ebook reader and comes with a 7-inch touchscreen and an optional keyboard. The device will use an ARM processor.

The device will be priced at around $200 with only a Wi-Fi connection. Adding support for wireless carriers’ 3G networks would add from $50 to $75.

Freescale Semiconductor believes the device will be more appealing than netbooks to the younger generation who need a device that can connect to the Internet quickly to surf and to access social networks, such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube and also play light games.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 5th, 2010 at 5:31 am and is filed under Other Stuff. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Tags: 3g networks, arm processor, ebook reader, freescale semiconductor, netbook, Netbooks, tablet computer, touchscreen