With Sprint’s announcement of the HTC EVO View 4G nicely tucked away, HTC has come forward with a press release of their own. It turns out, HTC was plans to launch a Wi-Fi only version of the HTC Flyer in the U.S. market exclusively at Best Buy, Bust Buy Mobile, and besybuy.com this spring. The Wi-Fi HTC Flyer was certainly no secret, but we’re pretty amazed that HTC would be pushing it out this early on this side of the Atlantic. From what we can gather, the Wi-Fi HTC Flyer will feature all the same specs at the GSM version that was unveiled last month at Mobile World Congress but will lack the 3G radio for data connectivity.
There are certainly a lot of people who are displeased wit HTC’s decision to use Android 2.3 with HTC Sense on a 1.5 GHz single-core Qualcomm processor, but keep in mind that the HTC Flyer has a few unique features which make it stand out from other Android tablet. The HTC Flyer sports a uni-body aluminum case, will be the first Android tablet to feature support for a capacitive pen with enhanced writing features with HTC Scribe, an exclusive access OnLive.
As we mentioned above, HTC is planning on rolling out the HTC Flyer at Best Buy location across the country this Spring. The launch date is certainly vague, bit it is sooner than the “summer 2011” line given to the launch of the HTC EVO View 4G by Sprint. Since the Android tablet market is heating up quite a bit, let’s just hope HTC can get the HTC Flyer to market for less than $500.
Best Buy® and HTC Announce Exclusive Launch of the Wi-Fi HTC Flyer Tablet at CTIA Wireless 2011
Wi-Fi HTC Flyer slated to launch this spring
ORLANDO, Fla., March 22, 2011 – Best Buy and HTC today announced the exclusive launch of the highly-anticipated Wi-Fi only version of the HTC Flyer™ tablet. All Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile standalone stores, as well as BestBuy.com, will have the tablet when it launches this spring.
The HTC Flyer is a fast, portable, light-weight tablet that integrates the immersive and highly intuitive HTC Sense™experience and enables content including videos, music, games and more to be easily accessed and enjoyed. For those attending CTIA, Best Buy and HTC will have devices on-hand at Pepcom’s Mobile Focus event on Tuesday, March 22 at 7:00 p.m. ET.
“Over the past few months we’ve seen several new tablets enter the market, and we’re especially excited to partner with HTC to bring the Wi-Fi version of the HTC Flyer to our customers as a national retail launch exclusive,” said Scott Anderson, head of merchandising for Best Buy Mobile. “We have worked hard to bring a large assortment of great tablets to Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile stores, and the HTC Flyer is a great example of that effort.”
The HTC Flyer features a strong aluminum unibody case that is lighter than an average paperback book. Truly separating the HTC Flyer from the pack is the integration of the acclaimed HTC Sense experience and unique HTC Scribe technology. The new HTC Sense experience offers an interface rethought for the tablet format which allows users to easily scroll and locate photos, entertainment, weather, calendar and mail. An optional HTC Scribe™ digital pen unlocks HTC Scribe technology, which enables the ability to capture and annotate any on-screen content with notes and drawings. Also, with Timemark, handwritten notes taken with the digital pen are synchronized with audio, as well as the popular Evernote™ application, turning handwritten notes into true meeting minutes. Additionally, with front and rear cameras, people can also make live video calls using a variety of available video chat applications available in the Android Market.
“Best Buy offers a number of the hottest products on the market, including the all-new 4G LTE HTC ThunderBolt™and now the Wi-Fi version of the groundbreaking HTC Flyer, which brings the acclaimed HTC Sense experience to a tablet for the first time,” said Jason Mackenzie, president of HTC Americas. “Like all HTC Sense products, the HTC Flyer was inspired by our customers, and offers the most simple and natural experience available on a tablet.”
Other key features of the HTC Flyer include:
- Integration/compatibility with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth® 3.0
- 7″ 1024×600 display with multi-touch capability and an optional digital pen that enables users to take synchronized notes and annotate content
- Built-in dual microphones for noise reduction
- Android™operating system
- Adobe® Flash® 10.1 support
- 5 MP Color CMOS camera with auto focus
- 1.3MP front camera for video chatting
- 16GB eMMC memory plus microSD card slot
- 4,000 mAh battery
Best Buy Mobile offers an array of services aimed at improving customers’ experience, including Walk Out Working, Geek Squad Black Tie Protection, Buy Back and a full array of accessories for customers to protect and personalize their devices.
