Toshiba announced a seven-inch Android 3.2 tablet featuring an Nvidia Tegra 2 dual-core processor and a 1280 x 800-pixel resolution typically found on 10.1-inch models. The Thrive 7″ Tablet offers 16GB or 32GB of storage, microSD and HDMI connections, five- and two-megapixel cameras, and a full complement of wireless features — except for cellular support.

The Thrive 7" Tablet complements the company's 10.1-inch, Android 3.1-powered Toshiba Thrive tablet, released in July, which followed up on an almost identical Regza AT300 released earlier in Japan. The 10.1-inch Thrive was given a mixed review by eWEEK's Clint Boulton, who wrote that the tablet's abundance of ports, including full-sized HDMI, USB 2.0, and SD connections, struggled to compensate for its 1.6-pound weight and over 0.6-inch thickness.

The Toshiba Thrive 7" Tablet runs Android 3.2 ("Honeycomb")
(Click to enlarge)

Compared to the first Thrive, the new seven-inch version is relatively light and thin, with an 0.88-pound weight and 0.48-inch. That's in the same ballpark as other recent seven-inch Android tablets, including Amazon.com's 0.45-inch Kindle Fire announced earlier today. Meanwhile, the 7.7-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 measures just 0.31 inches (7.89mm) thick and weighs around three-quarters of a pound (335 grams).

Earlier this month Toshiba announced a 10.1-inch update to the Thrive and Regza A2300 called the AT200, which is just 0.3 inches thick and weighs just 1.23 pounds, says Toshiba. Due to ship later this year, starting in Europe, the AT200 also moves to the dual-core 1.2GHz Texas Instruments OMAP4430 processor.

Meanwhile, the Thrive 7" Tablet instead offers the dual-core, 1GHz Nvidia Tegra 2 processor,  like the first Thrive and most other Honeycomb tablets. The amount of RAM was not listed, but the company says the tablet ships with either 16GB or 32GB of storage, as well as a microSD slot for expansion. Unlike the Thrive with its full-sized ports, the Thrive 7" goes micro for all its ports, including a micro-HDMI port and a mini-USB port.

The Thrive 7" stands out, however, with its screen, which ups the ante to 1280 x 800 pixels, a resolution typically found on 10.1-inch tablets. Most seven-inch tablets settle for 800 x 480 resolution, while the Samsung Galaxy Tab and other high-end seven-inch models instead move up to 1024 x 600 displays. (Examples include Acer's Iconia Tab A100, Huawei's MediaPad, the HTC Flyer, and the similar HTC Evo View 4G.)

The backlit "AutoBrite" multi-touch display also incorporates Toshiba's Adaptive Display and Resolution+3 video enhancement technologies, says Toshiba. Meanwhile, the tablet's stereo speakers, as well as sound enhancement technologies from Toshiba and SRS Labs, "deliver richer audio in music and movies with more natural sound and enhanced clarity," claims the company.

The Thrive 7" features Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS, but apparently will not support 3G, at least in its initial version. A five-megapixel camera with an LED flash is paired with a front-facing two-megapixel camera for video chats, says Toshiba. Additional features are said to include a gyroscope for hands-on motion control, and the back of the device offers a slip-resistant "Easy Grip" finish.

Thrive 7" side ports
Source: TechCrunch

The tablet runs the seven-inch friendly Android 3.2 Honeycomb build, and features Adobe Flash support, Android Market, and "the full suite" of popular Google Mobile Service applications, says Toshiba. The tablet also includes Toshiba's File Manager utility, says the company.

Thrive 7" top view with speakers
Source: TechCrunch

TechCrunch's Jordan Crook took the tablet for a quickie hands-on spin, and although he didn't give a definitive thumbs up or thumbs down, he seemed to like it. The display resolution is "pretty brilliant," and considering the smaller size, offers a pixel density that "far surpasses that of the 10-inch model," writes Crook. He also notes that Toshiba is hoping to keep the price at "under the $400 mark."

Availability

The Thrive 7" Tablet will be available in December at major U.S. retailers, e-tailers, and ToshibaDirect.com, says Toshiba. Notification sign-up may be found at Toshiba's Thrive 7" Tablet page.

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