We’ve already seen a 10.-inch Toshiba Thrive version breaking cover in the mids of summer 2011, and now we have an official announcement about a new 7-inch tablet from the company that will allegedly go under the name Thrive 7. Design wise, it does seem to have quite a lot in common with the original ten incher, but in terms of specs there are quite a few changes. For instance, there are no full-sized ports anymore, due to the slim design (you’ll get mini-USB / micro-HDMI jacks and microSD slot), and the operating system is likely to be an Android 3.2 (instead of 3.1). Other than that, we have that same  Tegra 2 chipset, paired with a duo of cameras – 5MP on the back (this time with a LED flash) and another one at 2MP, up front. There’s still no word about pricing, but you’ll be able to nab one either at 16GB or 32GB sometime around Thanksgiving or early December. Hit the jump to read the full announcement.
Update: We’ve also added a quick hands-on video, courtesy of Donald Bell and good guys over at Cnet. Check it out after the break.
 [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9kpOVygxDw[/youtube]
TOSHIBA EXPANDS TABLET FAMILY WITH NEW 7-INCH MODEL
Thrive 7″ Tablet, Powered by Android, Features Brilliant Hi-Res Display in Compact, Lightweight Design for Consumers On-the-Go
IRVINE, Calif. – Sept. 27, 2011 – Toshiba’s Digital Products Division (DPD), a division of Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., today announced the addition of the Thrive 7″ Tablet to its expanding line-up of consumer tablet devices. Featuring a brilliant hi-resolution seven-inch diagonal touch display1, the Thrive 7″ Tablet offers a complete tablet experience with entertainment-optimized features in an incredibly portable design that weighs under a pound2 and fits comfortably in the palm of your hand.
“This is a seven-inch tablet done right,” said Carl Pinto, vice president of product development, Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., Digital Products Division. “The Thrive 7″ Tablet is the first seven-inch tablet in the U.S. market to offer a true HD display that when combined with the selection of ports, premium audio, and a better, more robust Android experience make it a great choice for on-the-go consumers looking for a no-compromise tablet.”
Optimized for HD Entertainment
The Thrive 7″ Tablet’s LED backlit AutoBrite multi-touch display features a stunning 1280×800 resolution, putting bright and crisp images from movies, photos, books and games right in your hand. The tablet also incorporates Toshiba’s exclusive Adaptive Display and Resolution+®3 video enhancement technologies. The tablet includes stereo speakers tuned with sound enhancement technologies from Toshiba and SRS® Labs that deliver richer audio in music and movies with more natural sound and enhanced clarity.
Powered by Android 3.2 and the NVIDIA® Tegra 2 platform, this tablet delivers a dual-core processor4 for blazing-fast performance for web browsing and multitasking, plus NVIDIA GeForce® graphics5 for console quality gaming. A built-in Gyroscope offers hands-on motion control for the latest Android games. The tablet also includes two HD cameras: a five megapixel camera with an LED flash on the back for capturing high-quality pictures and video on the go, plus a two megapixel camera on the front for video chatting. Toshiba will offer the tablet in two configurations, 16GB or 32GB.
Compact, Lightweight Design
The Thrive 7″ Tablet weighs only 0.88 pounds2 and measures just under half an inch thin (0.47 inches), allowing it to fit easily into a bag or jacket. Not just lightweight and easy to carry, the tablet is built for handheld comfort and on-the-go durability, featuring Toshiba’s stylishly durable and slip-resistant Easy Grip finish.
Better Connected
Designed for continuity with other digital devices, the Thrive 7″ Tablet includes a selection of built-in ports, including Mini USB, Micro HDMI® and a Micro SD card slot, giving consumers the ability to easily sync and share their content. The tablet also includes Toshiba’s exclusive File Manager utility that gives users the power to easily move and manage files.
Offering convenient Wi-Fi® and Bluetooth® connectivity, the Thrive 7″ Tablet delivers all the essentials needed to stay connected at home or away. Users can browse the web with Adobe® Flash support, take advantage of maps and location-based apps with integrated GPS and enjoy the full suite of popular Google Mobile Service applications and Android apps via the Android Market.
Availability
The Thrive 7″ Tablet will be available in December at major U.S. retailers, e-tailers and ToshibaDirect.com.
