Tesco unveil the £119 Hudl - a low cost, Archos built tablet

[Guest Simon O]

Tesco have unveiled a brand new £119 budget Android tablet called the Hudl. The device has a 7 inch 1440x900 display and is powered by a Rockchip RK3188 processor backed up with a Mali400 graphics processor.

A bit of investigation shows that the device was developed in cooperation with Archos as the HT7S3 and manufactured in China by Keen High who also produce devices for HP, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Nubi as well as Archos. Early benchmarks have been discovered with the device gaining a score of 67.80 in NenaMark2 along with a fairly reasonable GFXBench comparison between itself and the Nexus 7 (edit 24/09: The benchmarks have been pulled from the website) It would be interesting to see how this device performs out there in the real world with daily use and we hope to get our hands on one fairly soon.

Tesco will make the tablet available in 1,000 stores initially from the 30th September and each store will stock a range of branded accessories such as cases, headphones and a rather useful Nabi-styled bumper case for kids to use.

Specifications:

• 7" 1440 x 900 HD screen
• Android Jellybean 4.2.2
• 16GB storage which can be expanded to 48GB with microSD cards.
• 1GB RAM
• Quad-core 1.5GHZ processor
• 9 hours video battery life (Conditions may vary dependent on video format and content, audio volume, screen brightness and processor load)
• Micro-HDMI port
• Bluetooth 4.0, GPS
• Dual band Wi-Fi for a more stable connection
• Access to over a million apps via Google Play™
• Comes in 4 colours: black, blue, red, purple
• Wi-Fi only
• Sleek, high-quality design, with a durable, matte, soft-touch back for better grip
• Scratch resistant touch screen
• 'Getting started' app that offers tips and guidance

The Hudl will be available to buy in-store from the 30th September and we expect it to become a big seller due to the low price and fairly decent specifications. Do you plan on buying one yourself? Let us know in the comments!

More info: Tesco.com/hudl

This item has been updated since publication to include additional information

Press release:

Spoiler

Tesco today launches Hudl, a new 7 inch HD tablet that aims to open up a world of entertainment and connectivity to all. It has been designed by Tesco for its 20 million customers and more, focusing on accessibility and convenience.

With super-fast 1.5GHz quad-core processor and dual-band Wi-Fi, users will find Hudl a great companion for their needs, from films, music and TV through to staying in touch, learning new things, shopping and playing games. The scratch-resistant HD display screen is beautifully clear and with 243 pixels per inch, it's perfect for enjoying HD movies in 16:9 widescreen. It has up to 9 hour video battery life and 16GB of memory which can be extended to 48GB.

Hudl combines the best of Tesco with the Android Jellybean 4.2.2 operating system meaning that customers can access everything on Google and over a million apps.

Tesco designed and built the tablet from scratch, tailoring it around customer needs and ease of use. Hudl users can enjoy instant access to Tesco's full range of digital services, all in one place, through a convenient, dedicated launcher button. These include blinkbox movies and TV, music and Clubcard TV (which offers free films and TV programmes exclusively for Clubcard holders), banking and of course shopping for groceries, clothing, homeware and more.

Hudl comes in four colours and will be available to buy in store and online (on Tesco.com and Tesco Direct sites) from 30 September and will retail at £119. Hudl is about making Tesco customers' lives easier, so Tesco Clubcard holders will be able to buy it at an even better price. Hudl will be available on Clubcard Boost* where customers can double the value of their vouchers, meaning many will be able to buy it for less than £100.

According to OFCOM, three quarters of UK households do not have a tablet. Tesco's research found that many feel that the technology is too expensive or intimidating. So Tesco has entered the market to change that.

Tesco Chief Executive, Philip Clarke, comments, "Hudl is a colourful, accessible tablet for the whole family to enjoy. The first stage in our tablet offering, it's convenient, integrated and easy to use with no compromise on spec. Customers are quite rightly very discerning about the technology they buy so we knew we had to be competitive on all fronts."

"Being online is an increasingly essential part of family life and whilst tablets are on the rise, usage is still quite limited. We feel the time is right for Tesco to help widen tablet ownership and bring the fun, convenience and excitement of tablets to even more customers across the UK. The digital revolution should be for the many, not for the few."

The move is part of Tesco's multichannel strategy, ensuring that customers can shop whenever, however and wherever they want. It recognises the increasingly important role that smart phones and tablets are playing in people's lives and how they can make things easier.

In the digital age, customers are communicating, working, learning, browsing and consuming differently and Tesco, always an innovator, has been transforming its business accordingly. Tesco was first to introduce grocery home shopping and supermarket drive-thrus in the UK and built the world's first virtual store where commuters buy groceries via their mobile phones in South Korea. In its latest multichannel launch, Tesco wants to ensure as many customers as possible can access the benefits of a tablet, in a world that is increasingly online.

Hudl has been designed as a family tablet. When users switch it on for the first time, there is a screen which gives advice on how to put in place measures to protect children (please see details in notes below). There are also a range of Hudl accessories, including child-friendly headphones.

Specification detail:

· 7" 1440 x 900 HD screen

· Android Jellybean 4.2.2

· 16GB storage which can be expanded to 48GB with microSD cards.

· Quad-core 1.5GHZ processor

· 9 hours video battery life (Conditions may vary dependent on video format and content, audio volume, screen brightness and processor load)

· Micro-HDMI port

· Bluetooth 4.0, GPS

· Dual band Wi-Fi for a more stable connection

· Access to over a million apps via Google Play™

· Comes in 4 colours: black, blue, red, purple

· Wi-Fi only

· Sleek, high-quality design, with a durable, matte, soft-touch back for better grip

· Scratch resistant touch screen

· 'Getting started' app that offers tips and guidance

Notes to Editors

Hudl goes on sale in around 1000 Tesco stores and online from 30th September. A multi-media advertising campaign created with W+K begins on October 7th.

Tesco designed and built Hudl from scratch, tailoring it around what customers asked for. Tesco has worked with a manufacturing partner based in China to produce the tablet, which also manufactures well-known products for Microsoft, HP, Blackberry and Sony.

*Clubcard Boost is Tesco's voucher exchange programme which allows people to multiply the value of their Clubcard vouchers. There is no limit to the number of vouchers customers can boost. For more details please see: http://www.tesco.com/clubcard/deals/

Accessories include: Soft touch cases in 6 different colours at £15 each; 2 choices of leather cases at £20; earphones; a screen protector; an in car charger and Micro-HDMI to HDMI cable; bright bumper case and headphones designed especially for kids. All Hudl accessories are available as part of Clubcard Boost. Tesco has an extended range of other accessories which are all compatible with Hudl too.

Tesco has designed the device so to ensure that when they switch on the Hudl for the very first time, users receive the following guidance if they confirm their tablet will be used by children:

Click here to view the item

[Guest Rusty!]

Wonder how much RAM it's got

[Guest Simon O]

We don't actually have a device ourselves yet and Tesco are being oddly quiet regarding the RAM size but we expect it to be either 1GB or 2GB because of the CPU used.

Update: A user on hotukdeals reports that it has 1GB RAM. I'm trying to confirm this :)

[Guest everett_psycho]

I'd suspect at that price it's only 1gb of ram, would explain the lack lustre performance being reported if it is. Still £120 for a quad core tablet, I can see this selling quite well to parents in time for Christmas

[Guest Simon O]

Just updated the article to add that it does indeed have 1GB of RAM. The tablet was produced in cooperation with Archos (which helps with the Google certification) and is manufactured in China by Keen High who also manufacture devices for several other big brands including Archos. 

[Guest]

decent specs, does rockchip release source code for their chip? A cyanogenmod rom would be great if possible. Cheapest nexus 7 v2 deal is £179 btw, £60 more.

[Guest Simon O]

No. Rockchip don't distribute code themselves as it is always customised by the different manufacturers. Tesco/Archos would have to release it themselves.

[Guest Anil K Solanki]

Excellent news. I always prefer to buy pure Nexus devices, but these specs, at this price point , from a Giant retailer is nothing but good news for Android.

[Guest Sere83]

Retarded name but the RK3188 is a reasonable performer (although the Mali 400 is getting a bit long in the tooth) and the resolution is pretty good. If it does actually manage 9 hrs and isn't too buggy it looks like a decent low budget option. I read somewhere it includes GPS too which is a touch...For £120 cant really say much, probably get better support than most chinese tabs aswell

[Guest everett_psycho]

Excellent news. I always prefer to buy pure Nexus devices, but these specs, at this price point , from a Giant retailer is nothing but good news for Android.

It is largely stock, other than the tesco bloat and the T shortcut on the bar it is plastic android. Really is a steal if you shop in tesco week in week out anyway, £60 of club card vouchers is achievable, much worse things you could spends the points on once you have them

[Guest Simon O]

The GFXBench results have been pulled but not before Google cached them. I took screencaps:

[Guest jusumgeezer]

I have the Tesco Hudl Tablet in hand. Most of the info is already out there spec wise, but If you require any more info regarding a certain apps performance in use, benchmarks, camera samples etc. then ask here & I'll try to reply as best I can.

First impressions: design wise it's like a kindle fire clone, even down to the button placement & back design.

What I was surprised at: spec is better than I thought it would be, SD card slot & HDMI out.

Software is very much stock Android with a few Tesco apps installed which can be disabled, we have been told that little [T] logo for the tesco launcher can be removed too, but I can't see where.

[Guest PaulOBrien]

I have the Tesco Hudl Tablet in hand. Most of the info is already out there spec wise, but If you require any more info regarding a certain apps performance in use, benchmarks, camera samples etc. then ask here & I'll try to reply as best I can.

First impressions: design wise it's like a kindle fire clone, even down to the button placement & back design.

What I was surprised at: spec is better than I thought it would be, SD card slot & HDMI out.

Software is very much stock Android with a few Tesco apps installed which can be disabled, we have been told that little [T] logo for the tesco launcher can be removed too, but I can't see where.

Where did you buy it and can you confirm the CPU?

P

[Guest]

some high res photos of each side would be nice too.

[Guest jusumgeezer]

Hi paul,

The first part of your question I answered via P.M.

for the second part, do you have a prefered method to check this info? Here is the info from system info droid app:

Report generated with System Info Droid. Download the Android App at Google Play.

SUMMARY

Device: Tesco Hudl HT7S3
Android: 4.2.2
CPU Max Frequency: 1608 Mhz
CPU Cores: 4
GPU: ARM Mali-400 MP
System RAM: 1024 MB
Display: 1440x828 (6.84")

SYSTEM

Model: Hudl HT7S3
Manufacturer: Tesco
Android: 4.2.2
API Level: 17
Kernel: 3.0.36+(20130923.020558)
Compilation: JDQ39.20130923.020558
Uptime: 00:14:23:18

PROCESSOR

Processor: ARMv7 Processor rev 0 (v7l)
Number of Cores: 4
Max Frequency: 1608 Mhz
Current Frequency: 312 Mhz
CPU Usage: 19.4 %
Instruction Sets: armeabi-v7a, armeabi

GRAPHICS PROCESSING UNIT

General Info:

Model: Mali-400 MP
Vendor: ARM
OpenGL Version: OpenGL ES 2.0

Advanced Info:

Viewport Size: 4096 x 4096
Renderbuffer Size: 4096 x 4096
Cubemap Size: 1024 x 1024
Texture Size: 4096 x 4096
Texture Units: 4096
Vertex Textures: 4096
Combined Textures: 4096
Vertex Attributes: 4096
Vertex Uniforms: 4096
Varying Vectors: 4096
Fragment Uniform Vectors: 4096
Extensions:
GL_EXT_debug_marker GL_OES_byte_coordinates GL_OES_fixed_point GL_OES_single_precision GL_OES_matrix_get GL_OES_read_format GL_OES_compressed_paletted_texture GL_OES_point_size_array GL_OES_point_sprite GL_OES_texture_npot GL_OES_query_matrix GL_OES_matrix_palette GL_OES_extended_matrix_palette GL_OES_compressed_ETC1_RGB8_texture GL_OES_EGL_image GL_OES_draw_texture GL_OES_depth_texture GL_OES_packed_depth_stencil GL_EXT_texture_format_BGRA8888 GL_OES_framebuffer_object GL_OES_stencil8 GL_OES_depth24 GL_ARM_rgba8 GL_OES_EGL_image_external GL_OES_EGL_sync GL_OES_rgb8_rgba8 GL_EXT_multisampled_render_to_texture GL_OES_texture_cube_map GL_EXT_discard_framebuffer GL_EXT_robustness

MEMORY

System Memory:

Total System RAM: 1024 MB
Free System RAM: 177 MB
Java VM Max Memory: 72 MB

Storage Space:

Internal: 12967 MB (11348 MB Free)
External: 12967 MB (11348 MB Free)

DISPLAY

Resolution: 1440x828
Refresh Rate: 57.53 Hz
Screen Size: 6.84" (17.37 cm)
Pixels Density: 243 ppi
Dots Density: 240 dpi

CAMERA

Back Camera:

Megapixels: 3.1 Megapixels
Max Picture Size: 2048 x 1536
Max Video Size: 1280 x 720
Video Fps Range: 3 to 30
Flash Modes: Not Supported
Max Zoom: 40
Focal Length: 35.0
Horizontal View Angle: 53.0
Vertical View Angle: 42.0
Focus Modes: fixed, auto, continuous-picture
Antibanding Modes: Not Supported
Color Effects: none, negative, sepia, solarize, bluish, green, graycale
Scene Modes: auto, night, sports
White Balance Modes: auto, incandescent, fluorescent, daylight, cloudy-daylight

Front Camera:

Megapixels: 1.9 Megapixels
Max Picture Size: 1600 x 1200
Max Video Size: 800 x 600
Video Fps Range: 3 to 30
Flash Modes: Not Supported
Max Zoom: 40
Focal Length: 35.0
Horizontal View Angle: 53.0
Vertical View Angle: 42.0
Focus Modes: fixed
Antibanding Modes: Not Supported
Color Effects: none, mono, negative, sepia, posterize, aqua
Scene Modes: auto, night
White Balance Modes: auto, incandescent, fluorescent, daylight, cloudy-daylight

TEMPERATURE

System Temp: No sensors avaiable
Battery Temp: 0 ºC (32 ºF)

SENSORS

ST 3-axis Accelerometer

Vendor: STMicroelectronics
Power Consumption: 0.23 mA
Max Range: 19.6133
Resolution: 0.009576807

ST 3-axis Magnetic field sensor

Vendor: STMicroelectronics
Power Consumption: 6.8 mA
Max Range: 2000.0
Resolution: 0.1

ST 3-axis Gyroscope sensor

Vendor: STMicroelectronics
Power Consumption: 6.1 mA
Max Range: 34.906586
Resolution: 0.0012217305

Rotation Vector Sensor

Vendor: Google Inc.
Power Consumption: 13.13 mA
Max Range: 1.0
Resolution: 5.9604645E-8

Gravity Sensor

Vendor: Google Inc.
Power Consumption: 13.13 mA
Max Range: 19.6133
Resolution: 0.009576807

Linear Acceleration Sensor

Vendor: Google Inc.
Power Consumption: 13.13 mA
Max Range: 19.6133
Resolution: 0.009576807

Orientation Sensor

Vendor: Google Inc.
Power Consumption: 13.13 mA
Max Range: 360.0
Resolution: 0.00390625

Corrected Gyroscope Sensor

Vendor: Google Inc.
Power Consumption: 13.13 mA
Max Range: 34.906586
Resolution: 0.0012217305

[Guest jusumgeezer]

Stock will be available at 9:00am on monday, there is no pre-order & no reserve system, purely first come first served basis.

Initial allocation is said to be low, 30-60 per store of the black with only a handful of the other colours.  Although some are reporting a total of 20 or less delivered.

[Guest jusumgeezer]

http://www.imagebam.com/image/476c14278499951

http://www.imagebam.com/image/fda18f278499959

http://www.imagebam.com/image/cc49d5278499964

http://www.imagebam.com/image/08c7ac278499966

http://www.imagebam.com/image/645eb9278499971

http://www.imagebam.com/image/b64b53278499981

http://www.imagebam.com/image/ddaebc278499992

http://www.imagebam.com/image/f51aa0278499996

http://www.imagebam.com/image/d6d28b278500004

http://www.imagebam.com/image/1c86af278500007

http://www.imagebam.com/image/1d2499278500009

http://www.imagebam.com/image/e13ed8278500031

[Guest]

 

http://www.imagebam.com/image/476c14278499951

http://www.imagebam.com/image/fda18f278499959

http://www.imagebam.com/image/cc49d5278499964

http://www.imagebam.com/image/08c7ac278499966

http://www.imagebam.com/image/645eb9278499971

http://www.imagebam.com/image/b64b53278499981

http://www.imagebam.com/image/ddaebc278499992

http://www.imagebam.com/image/f51aa0278499996

http://www.imagebam.com/image/d6d28b278500004

http://www.imagebam.com/image/1c86af278500007

http://www.imagebam.com/image/1d2499278500009

http://www.imagebam.com/image/e13ed8278500031

 

Looks nice :)

[Guest Ashenfall]

Any idea on the weight, or whether it outputs true 1920x1080 resolution via HDMI?

[Guest jusumgeezer]

I don't have a HDMI at home, so I will have to add that in tomorrow, kitchen scales need a new battery, but the bathroom ones weigh it at 12.8onz (0.8lbs)

results from CPUz as requested by paul:

http://www.imagebam.com/image/486369278651550

http://www.imagebam.com/image/786993278651563

http://www.imagebam.com/image/c143f0278651569

http://www.imagebam.com/image/9c2a0a278651572

[Guest Lister Of Smeg]

Hi All,

As can be seen here: https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/1727131?hl=en

It shows the official Google Play support under Archos device (as we know from above text, its based around Archos) but already Google Play have it listed... ;) lol

Also, Jusumgeezer would you be able to test the Root availability of it please via this post here... as I am sure it wont be long until someone roots it anyway... ;)

http://www.kingoapp.com/android-root.htm  (as mentioned via another website, not sure if I can reveal names??) but is a universal one click root for all devices.

Would be good to know if we can root this from day one... ;)

Cheers, Lister

[Guest glossywhite]

Very interesting...

Thank you! :)

[Guest SteveMar]

The item looks to have good specs, pity the guy in the video couldn't afford to buy a shirt that looked revolting.

[Guest Simon O]

Hi All,

As can be seen here: https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/1727131?hl=en

It shows the official Google Play support under Archos device (as we know from above text, its based around Archos) but already Google Play have it listed... ;) lol

I did already link to that in the article. ;)

[Guest PaulOBrien]

Definitely a RK3188 device then going by the CPU-Z images, thanks! :)

If we can get a full ROM flash it'll be great hackable fun!

P