Freescale Smartbook Tablet

Freescale Semiconductor has introduced a new model for the production of cheap tablet to use for web browsing. Built around an ARM Cortex A8 and the Freescale chipset i/MX515 will be exposed to the forthcoming CES 2010 and will be manufactured for $ 140, allowing companies to sell at $ 200 and get a good profit.

The low-power ARM processor is built on an architecture to 7 cores, one for charging, one for 3D graphics, one for the 2D one for the 720p HD video encoding and so on.

* 7-inch screen, 1024 × 600 px touchscreen (single touch)
* Form factor: 200 x 128 x 14.9 mm
* Weighing less than 0.5Kg
* Autonomy of 12 hours (2100 mAh battery)
* Disk-type flash (4GB – 64GB) with a MicroSD slot for possible expansions
* Custom OS from Linux / Android
* WiFi, Bluetooth and integrated GPS but no 3G (in the base model)

The target market for these tablets are boys aged 15 to 25 years who, according to Freescale, they do not need a QWERTY keyboard (hard to put on a screen under 10 inches) and can move safely with the only touch screen.

Similarly, the choice not to include 3G in the base model (of course producers can then opt for other ways) is due to the target customer base. Freescale has chosen to provide the only WiFi and avoid “scare” young users with contracts or monthly fees, WiFi can also be used outdoors with Hotspots free or by subscription.

Freescale expects to see the first products based on its reference design already by spring 2010. For more information please visit the section on the Freescale website or wait for the exposure of the first models at CES 2010.