Television manufacturer Vizio today announced that it’s getting into the smartphone and tablet markets, with the Via phone and Via Tablet. The company promises an experience that integrates the smartphone, tablet and TV.
The Vizio Via Phone features a 1 GHz processor, 4-inch capacitive touch screen, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS and a MicroSD card slot for memory expansion and HDMI output with HD video playback. It also features a front-facing camera for video chats and a 5-megapixel rear camera for photos and HD video capture.
The Vizio Via Tablet also features a 1 GHz processor, with an 8-inch capacitive touch screen, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, a MicroSD card slot for additional memory expansion, HDMI output with HD video playback, and a front-facing camera for video chats. It also boasts a three-speaker design for stereo audio in both portrait and landscape modes.
“As part of the VIA Plus ecosystem, the Via phone and tablet are natural extensions of the HD entertainment experience that historically has centered around the TV,” said Matthew McRae, chief technology officer at Vizio, in a statement. “And by integrating the Via Plus user experience also found on our next-generation TVs and Blu-ray devices, Vizio is delivering the multi-screen, unified ecosystem others have talked about for years and never delivered.”
Vizio will be demonstrating the Via Phone and Via Tablet at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas from Jan. 6 to 9. Look for further coverage of the Via smartphone and tablet at WirelessWeek.com.