Tesco 'Hudl' Tablet: Supermarket Takes On Apple And Google With £119, Seven-Inch Device

Tesco Takes On Apple
Tesco

Tesco has unveiled its new budget tablet.

The 'Hudl' is designed to undercut Apple, Amazon and Google on price - and get customers shopping online who might not already own a tablet.

The £119 machine "combines the best of Tesco with the Android Jellybean OS", Tesco claimed. It will be available for an even lower cost for Clubcard Members using 'Clubcard Boost', the supermarket giant added.

Philip Clarke, CEO of Tesco said:

"Hudl is a colourful, accessible tablet for the whole family to enjoy. The first stage in our tablet offering, it’s convenient, integrated and easy to use with no compromise on spec. Customers are quite rightly very discerning about the technology they buy so we knew we had to be competitive on all fronts."

It will come with access to Tesco's Blinkbox online movies service, and run apps available through Google Play.

The key features are:

  • 1.5GHz dual-core processor
  • Seven-inch 1440 x 900 pixels screen
  • 16GB storage (plus MicroSD)
  • 9 hour battery life
  • Micro HDMI port
  • Four colours (blue, black, red, purple)
  • Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean OS

The tablet will go up against the popular - but far more expensive - iPad Mini and the recently announced update to the Google Nexus 7, as well as tablets from Amazon and other budget makers.

It remains to be seen how the tablet performs, but Tesco said it would aim the device squarely at those who haven't made the jump so far, even including a 'how to' app with the device designed to slowly introduce new users to touchscreens.

Engadget's Matt Brian said: "The device is slightly chubby and plasticky, as you'd expect, but it's not some rebadge."

"Tesco says it worked directly with a manufacturer according to its own design."

The BBC's Rory Cellan-Jones said: "Each time a new entrant comes into the market they find that the components have become just a little cheaper, so they can offer similar products to the established players at a keener price.

"You might think that would spell trouble for the market leader Apple, but it has managed to keep on selling iPads very profitably despite the yawning price gap opening up with rival Android devices."

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