HP has announced the Middle East launch of its first tablet running on Android Jelly Bean that provides customers with easy access to Google Mobile services.

With a 17.78cm diagonal screen and weighing 368 grams, the HP Slate7 features a stainless-steel frame and soft black paint in gray or red on the back. It also is the industry’s first tablet to offer embedded Beats Audio, for a rich audio experience.

The HP Slate7 delivers the Google experience with services like Google Now, Google Search, Gmail, YouTube, Google Drive and Google+ Hangouts for multiperson video chat as well as access to apps and digital content through Google Play.

“There is high demand in the consumer technology segment in the Middle East arena. Consumers in the region have vast consumer tech knowledge and are always on the lookout for the newest and most outstanding products,” said Salim Ziade, general manager, Printing and Personal Systems, HP Middle East.

“HP is a leading player in the PC market and has implemented similar innovative practice for the tablets industry, introducing its first Android consumer tablet, HP Slate7. The HP Slate7 on Android represents a compelling entry point for consumer tablets, and delivers the service and support people expect from HP.”

The HP Slate7 joins the recently introduced HP Chromebook as part of HP’s push to offer access to the Google experience.

Powered by an ARM Dual Core Cortex-A9 1.6 GHz processor, the HP Slate7 is fast and responsive, a statement said.

Integrated wireless allows customers to access email, the internet and key applications, while the High-aperture-ratio Field Fringe Switching (HFFS) panel offers wide viewing angles that provide easy viewing of documents, games, photos and videos—even in outdoor lighting conditions.

The HP Slate7 includes a 3-megapixel camera on the back and a VGA camera on the front for chatting, videos and photos.

With the HP ePrint application, customers can print while at home or on the go, and an exclusive native printing capability enables customers to print directly from most applications. A micro USB port allows customers to easily transfer files, and a suite of applications from HP spans exclusive games to productivity tools.

HP will provide an array of simple and easy-to-access support tools and resources to help customers take full advantage of all of the features the HP Slate7 has to offer.

In addition to extensive phone and online support offerings included with the HP Slate7, HP is offering customers the opportunity to expand and extend the standard product limited warranty with its HP Care Pack services.

The HP Slate7 is expected to be available in the Middle East beginning of July 2013 with a starting price of Dh599 ($163). – TradeArabia News Service