HTC's Tablet Entry Won't Run Android 3.0 HoneycombHTC's Tablet Entry Won't Run Android 3.0 Honeycomb

Specifications for HTC's unannounced Android tablet have hit the web, and all indicators point to a mid-range device rather than a high-end iPad competitor.Most smartphone makers are expected to introduce Android-based tablets in the coming weeks and months. Samsung and Motorola have already tipped their hand when it comes to tablet offerings, but HTC has so far been quiet.

According to leaked details, HTC's first android tablet won't target the iPad and instead will shoot to unseat the Samsung Galaxy Tab as the Android-based tablet of choice.

The HTC Flyer, as it is being called, has a 7-inch screen with 1024 x 600 pixels. It is powered by a 1GHz Snapdragon processor. It won't run the tablet-optimized Android 3.0 Honeycomb, and will instead run Android 2.3 Gingerbread. That's a bit of a disappointment there.

The lack of Honeycomb will be offset somewhat by the presence of HTC's Sense user interface overlay. Sense is HTC's home-grown skin that makes dealing with some of Android's quirks easier on the brain. Whatever HTC does with Sense for the Flyer, it is sure to improve upon the base Android 2.3 Gingerbread experience. However, the Flyer will ship with a stylus, despite its capacitive screen, which sounds a bit scary.

Other specs note that the Flyer will have two cameras -- a 5 megapixel main camera with flash, and a 1.3-megapixel user-facing camera for video chats. It will have an HDMI port and will support DLNA for media sharing. It will ship with a 3G radio for mobile broadband, but it won't be able to make standard cellular voice calls (VoIP only). Of course, Wi-Fi, GPS and Bluetooth are expected to be on board, as well.

Wondering why HTC is going with such a poorly-spec'd device? A lower-cost tablet has a better chance of selling well around the world when compared to pricier models. But HTC is also said to be working on a 10-inch tablet, which will be a better iPad competitor.

This device hasn't been formally announced, but it is possible that HTC will reveal it at the upcoming Mobile World Congress event schedule for February 13-17.