While our American readers might not know much about the Tesco name, in the UK it’s the biggest supermarket brand there is. In recent months, the supermarket has been branching out into digital media with their Blinkbox service and a raft of online apps to help shoppers check their Clubcard balance and more. However, one thing that Tesco didn’t offer – until now – is their own hardware. That all changes with the introduction of the Hudl, a 7-inch Android tablet that will retail for just £119 both in store and online, from September 30th.
For £119 though, what do you get? Well let’s take a look:
- 7-inch 1440 x 900 HD screen
- Android Jellybean 4.2.2
- 16GB storage which can be expanded to 48GB with microSD cards.
- Quad-core 1.5GHZ processor
- 9 hours video battery life
- Micro-HDMI port, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS and Dual-Band WiFi
- Comes in 4 colours: black, blue, red, purple
- Sleek, high-quality design, with a durable, matte, soft-touch back for better grip
- Getting started’ app that offers tips and guidance
As you can see from the screenshot above, the Hudl is to feature stock Android, which seems like a smart move for the company. Tesco are going further than just selling the tablet themselves however as they’re going to be offering accessories as well. With large rubber cases designed to be child-friendly and own-brand headphones, the Hudl will have a range of accessories on offer when it launches.
Tesco are saying that this is not just a rebranded tablet from China and that they worked with a manufacturer to their exact design. Citing a manufacturer that makes devices for HP, Sony and Microsoft. The Hudl isn’t the thinnest of tablets. However, as Engadget is reporting the device feels sturdy, if not a little plasticky. Obviously, Tesco is wanting customers to purchase the Hudl from them instead of a Nexus 7 from ASUS and Google or even an iPad Mini from Apple. Tesco firmly has price on their hands but, will customers take to the device? Clubcard holders may well do as the supermarket is offering the Hudl through their “Clubcard Boosts” program, doubling vouchers when used to purchase their own-brand tablet. So, if you have £60 worth of the vouchers, you can walk away with one of these for free.
We’d love to hear from our UK readers on this one, for £119 does the Hudl sound like a good deal to you guys or not? Let us know in the comments below!