Freescale Smart-Book Tablet Concept Revealed [Freescale's Tablet Reference Design Preempts The Apple Tablet]

Freescale has unveiled a reference design for the Freescale Smart-Book Tablet, a touchscreen tablet PC that has been designed to compete with the forthcoming Apple tablet.  Frescale’s Smart-Book Tablet will run on either the Android mobile OS or custom Linux, providing a web-based mobile computer in a low-profile, finger-friendly design.

The Freescale Smart-Book Tablet reference design is more than a prototype, as this unit is expected to begin shipping in the summer of 2010.  It will feature a 7-inch touchscreen display, Android OS or custom Linux and will run Freescale’s i.MX515 processor– which competes well with the ARM Cortex-A8 processor in the iPhone 3GS.  Freescale’s tablet will also start with 512MB RAM, Bluetooth, GPS, WiFi and 3G connectivity.

It has been suggested that the Freescale Smart-Book Tablet might sell on the street for $200, as this web-only device could operate with very basic components.  Its storage would range between 4GB and 64GB, supplemented by microSDHC cards.  Expect more news on the Freescale Smart-Book at CES 2010, but look for availability updates after February when Freescale begins sharing this reference design with potential manufacturing and development partners.