Sharp plans to release new Galapagos tablet with built-in Internet access

A new Galapagos tablet is to get released in Japan on December 9, as reported by Sharp Corporation this Wednesday. This latest device will be capable of accessing a high-speed internet connection with a built in mobile communication technology.

This new model will be offering a 7inch display and will be powered by Google’s Android 3.2 platform. It will also feature the WiMAX mobile broadband access capability, which will allow other devices such as personal computers and smartphones to share the internet connection at the same time.

They have stopped selling some of their earlier models like the 5.5inch and 10.8 inch models but the 7inch model is still on sale via a telecommunications carrier.

 Masami Obatake, Sharp Executive Officer reported at a press conference in Tokyo that they don’t have any intentions of withdrawing the Galapagos business which also includes its eBook content distribution services. He believes that the tablet market is expected to grow in the future and they would like to work on the business by utilizing their tablet terminals as well as network services.

The new Galapagos tablet will be available at retail stores at a price of 59,800yen (about $777). While for the device with the WiMAX subscription, it will cost around 4,800 yen ($62) along with a monthly subscription fee of 5,500yen ($71.5) for the first two years. 

Source(s)