HTC's first Honeycomb tablet supports 4G LTE network

HTC announced its first 10.1-inch Honeycomb tablet, which is also AT&T's first tablet to run on the carrier's new LTE/HSPA+ 4G network. The HTC Jetstream runs Android 3.1 and HTC Sense on a 1.5GHz, dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, features eight-megapixel and 1.3-megapixel cameras, offers an optional HTC Stylus, and start selling Sept. 4 for a pricey $700 with 32GB of memory.

HTC is taking its tablet talents to AT&T in the form of the HTC Jetstream. The 10.1-inch WXGA slate is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 1.5GHz dual-core processor instead of the 1.2GHz Nvidia Tegra 2 processor typically found on Android 3.x ("Honeycomb") tablets. With 32GB of memory, the Jetstream will sell for $700 plus contract when it arrives in stores Sept. 4. There does not appear to be a 16GB version available.

 
HTC Jetstream
The device promises a number of firsts. It's HTC's first "Honeycomb" tablet, running Android 3.1. It's also HTC's first 10.1-inch Android slate, following up on the seven-inch HTC Flyer and similar HTC Evo View 4G tablets.

The Jetstream is also AT&T's first 4G Long-Term Evolution/Evolved High-Speed Packet Access (LTE/HSPA+) tablet, promising speedy network access. Finally, the Jetstream's release is also the first time HTC's Sense user interface, which has become a pleasure to use on Android smartphones, will grace a Honeycomb tablet.

As with the Evo View 4G, the Jetstream will offer an HTC Scribe digital pen as an $80 option (free for a limited time). The stylus proved very valuable in eWEEK's test of the View 4G. The Scribe also integrates with the Evernote note-taking application to let users store annotated documents in the cloud.

The HTC Jetstream has an eight-megapixel back camera that captures 1080p video, plus a 1.3-megapixel camera in front for video chats, says AT&T. The 10.1-inch screen offers the standard 1280 x 720 pixel WXGA resolution. The only other hardware features currently listed include the presence of Wi-Fi, a microSD slot, and a 7300mAh battery.

The Android 3.1-based software features a new version of HTC Sense tailored for the big screen, as well as Google Maps 5.0, Google eBooks access, and a new incognito mode for private browsing, says AT&T. In addition, for the first time, Google Talk with video chat over Wi-Fi will be available on a Honeycomb tablet.

Unfortunately, at $700, the Jetstream is particularly high-priced in a sea of already expensive Honeycomb tablets. High prices are considered to be one key reason why Honeycomb tablets have failed to make much of a dent in Apple's massive iPad market share lead.

Even with the LTE radio, and potentially a faster processor than the typical Honeycomb tablet, many customers will balk at buying the Jetstream when they can get a thinner, lighter iPad 2 for $499. The Jetstream weighs 1 pound, 9 ounces whereas the iPad 2 and Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 each have a svelte, sub-1.3-pound heft.

In addition, the Jetstream offers a fairly typical 0.51-inch thickness compared to 0.338 inches for the Galaxy Tab 10.1 and 0.346 inches for the iPad 2. Verizon's 4G LTE, 32GB version of the Galaxy Tab 10.1, meanwhile, costs $70 less than the Jetstream at $630.

AT&T offers postpaid option

AT&T got a little creative with its pricing. AT&T postpaid tablet customers now have a new $35, 3GB monthly data plan option with a two-year contract. However, postpaid customers who opt not to ink a long-term deal may choose $15 for 250MB or $25 for 2GB. Buyers who choose the postpaid option will see the data charges on their monthly wireless bill.

Beware of overage -- customers on the 2GB plan who exceed their monthly data allotment will be charged $10 for each gigabyte over their plan. Prepaid customers may dole out $15 for 250MB or $25 for 2GB. Customers on the 2GB plan who exceed their monthly data allotment may choose to purchase an additional 2GB for $25.

Availability

AT&T's HTC Jetstream will go on sale Sept. 4 with 4G LTE/HSPA+ and 32GB of memory, along with a two-year contract, says AT&T. More information may be found at AT&T's HTC Jetstream web page.