So you know about the upcoming tablets from manufacturers like Motorola, HTC, RIM, and LG, but did you know that Vizio, known mostly for their HDTVs, could also be launching a tablet of their own soon? Yeah, neither did we, but a commercial that aired during the Rose Bowl yesterday revealed just that. During the quick 30-second spot, Vizio chief sales officer Randy Waynick can be seen relaxing with a tablet that sports Vizio branding in the upper right corner and a few buttons right below the display. There's no word on what OS is powering Vizio's tablet, but the current speculation is that either Android or Windows Phone 7 is running the show.
We've known for some time now that tablets are going to be the hot new product this year, and the fact that Vizio is planning its own entry into the market just goes to show how big that market is going to be. When CES kicks off next week, don't be surprised if you see tablets dominating the headlines, including more information on Vizio's device. In the mean time, check out the clip from Vizio below and tell us what you think about the tablet's short appearance.
UPDATE: Thanks to Vizio CTO Matthew McRae, we don't have to wait until CES to learn all about his company's plans for its entries into the mobile space. First up we have the aforementioned tablet, which will be known as the Via Tablet and will feature an 8-inch "high resolution" display, WiFi, a front-facing camera, three speakers, and HDMI out. Don't expect to use the Via Tablet with any cellular network, though, because it won't have any access to cellular data. Second is the Via Phone, which will sport a 4-inch screen, 5 megapixel camera, and a front-facing camera, as well. Both devices will be powered by Android, although it's not clear which version. The devices will tie into Vizio's TVs thanks to the Via Plus Internet service and will also pack in Vizio On Demand movie services. No pricing or launch info was given, but we expect all to be revealed at CES. Stay tuned!
