Hot on the heels of the ASUS Eee Pad Transformer Prime getting its official update to Android 4.0, Huawei has announced plans to update its 7-inch MediaPad to Ice Cream Sandwich as well. The company revealed today that existing MediaPad owners can expect a bump up to ICS to happen by the end of the first quarter of 2012, adding that new MediaPads with Android 4.0 preloaded will begin shipping during this quarter as well. Also announced today is the fact that the MediaPad is getting a few new paint jobs, with new shadow black, classic brown and passion pink versions of the tablet will be arriving with Android 3.2 in Q1 2012. The new MediaPad color series features the same specs as the original model, including a 7-inch 1280x800 display and 1.2GHz dual-core processor.
It's great to see that another Android tablet will soon be joining the Ice Cream Sandwich club, and hey, having more color options for those folks considering picking up a MediaPad isn't bad, either. Unfortunately, there's no mention in Huawei's announcement of the T-Mobile SpringBoard and when it might be upgraded to ICS, so it looks like owners of that variant will have to continue to wait. Until we hear more, feel free to peruse the full press release from Huawei down below.
Huawei's MediaPad Now Comes with Android 4.0
Huawei also unveils new MediaPad color series, operating on Android 3.2
LAS VEGAS, Jan. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Huawei, a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider, today announced that the Huawei MediaPad is now one of the world's first tablets to come pre-loaded with the new Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich operating system. First launched in June 2011, the original MediaPad was the world's first 7-inch Android 3.2 tablet. This latest version of the MediaPad once again provides users with the very latest Android experience, along with access to the newest and hottest services and apps available in the Android marketplace.
Huawei also unveiled its new MediaPad color series – fashionable MediaPads in three new colors: shadow black, classic brown, and passion pink and running on Android 3.2. Both MediaPad versions have a high-quality display, with screen resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels at 217 PPI and supporting 1080P Full HD video playback. Additionally, they come with a Qualcomm dual-core 1.2 GHz processor and have a battery capacity of six hours or more.
"In a tablet market defined by staid black and white tablets, the new colorful MediaPad offers a personalized look without the need for an external case," said Richard Yu, Chairman, Huawei Device. "With a hardware package that includes a high-quality screen, a powerful dual-core processor, and long battery life, these colorful MediaPad embodies a rare combination of style and performance."
Huawei's new MediaPad color series and the MediaPad with Android 4.0 will be available in selected markets in the first quarter of 2012. Existing MediaPad owners will receive an OTA Android 4.0 upgrade to their tablets by the first quarter of 2012.
