Toshiba Ships Folio 100 Tablet Computer

There's a new tablet PC in town: The Toshiba Folio 100. And, like many other iPad-like computers--such as the million-seller Galaxy Tab--the Folio 100 runs on a customized edition of Google's Android 2.2 (Froyo) platform.

Additional features include a largish 10-inch display run by NVIDIA's powerful and power conscious Tegra 2 dual-core ARM-based processor. So while the Folio 100 is capable of supporting 1080p video and as much as seven hours of battery life.

It also sports HDMI and USB 2.0 ports as well as Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, Wi-Fi (802.11n), and - in a future edition - cellular 3G wireless technologies. As for storage, the Folio 100 offers 16GB of on-board memory and an SD card reader.

Meanwhile, Toshiba says the tablet's instant-on functionality lets users boot it up in less than 30 seconds. Once turn on users can take advantage of the Folio 100’s wide selection of apps and services dedicated to media consumption, web browsing and social networking.

Pre-installed applications include the Opera Mobile web browsers, FBReader e-book reader, Document To Go office suite, Evernote for note taking, Adobe Flash 10.1 and Fring, an app that in combination with the embedded 1.3 megapixel webcam allows video calls.

The Folio 100's slated to become available during the fourth quarter of this year throughout Europe, Middle East and Africa for the equivalent of $560. No word on when (or even if) it'll ship in North America.