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Thursday, 17 January 2013

HCL Launches New ME Tablets in MEA Region




The 5% rise in HCL Infosystems’ shares on Tuesday suggests that investors are hoping for some asset or stake sale to alleviate some of the company’s problems. Photo: Ramesh Pathania/Mint
HCL Infosystems Ltd. India’s premier Services and ICT Systems Integration, Distribution and Hardware Company has today announced the launch of a new range of ME tablets in the Middle East and Africa. As part of HCL’s continuous commitment to the market and their customers, HCL has launched three new ME tablets, namely U2, V1 and Y3. HCL has emerged as the leaders in value tablets in the Middle East and the new series aims to enhance user experience and create absolute value for customers across categories in the region. HCL has tied up with Axiom Telecom, the leading telecom solutions provider in the region, as its service partner for the region.

The New ME Tablets will be available across leading retailers across the various countries in Middle East and Africa. In UAE the tablets will be available by this week in leading stores like Sharaf DG, Lulu, EMAX, Plug-ins, Ecity, Jackys and Abu Dhabi Cooperative. In Kuwait the new devices will be available in this week in stores such as Al Ghanim, GEANT, Lulu and Electrozan. In Oman the new ME Tablets will be available this week in Extra, Lulu, Emax and Sharaf DG. In Qatar the new Tablets will be available by this week in stores such as Lulu and Safari. In Egypt the new Tablets will be available by beginning of February 2013 in stores such as Compume and B.tech. In Saudi Arabia the tablets will be available by this week in major key retailers. In Bahrain and Jordan the tablets will be available in leading stores by the beginning of February 2013. In the African countries – Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda the new ME Tablets will be available in leading stores by the beginning of February 2013.

Some of the Exclusive Distributors for ME Tablets in the region include CGC (Consolidated Gulf Corporation) in Qatar; BDL Gulf and BDL Saudi in UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Jordan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

Commenting on the launch, Mr. Srinath Nagarajan, Business Head-MEA, Mobility Business Unit, HCL Infosystems MEA, said, “We are very excited to launch our new range of ME tablets in the region. The launch comes as part of our commitment to offer the best in technology and continue our innovation and leadership in the value category of tablets in the region. This region has a highly competitive tablet market with the demand for innovative technologies growing at a rapid pace. We have made huge investments in research to develop innovations that would enable us to deliver devices to a larger customer base, making technology more accessible. Understanding the need to cater to individual preferences of our customers and resonating the brand message - Change Begins with ME, we wish to meet and exceed their expectations in technology by delivering an amazing user experience.”


The ME tablets have been innovated to offer various unique and specialized features. The U2 Tab offers a fast processor and Google Play, the V1 Tab has a facility for 2G calling and the Y3 Tab has 3G calling facility and a Dual Sim.
The U2 has an integrated HDMI connectivity Port, which connects the tablet to external display devices for gaming, video playback or emails. It has a powerful CPU, being powered by a 1 GHz Cortex A9 CPU which enables U2 to deliver high performance with low power consumption. The Tab has an integrated front camera for video chat. The tablet also carries a powerful GPU and 1GB DDR3 RAM which enables one to enjoy smooth 2D/3D graphics gaming. The tablet has an 8GB internal memory where one can store all their favourite movies, photos, games and also which is externally expandable through a 32GB micro SD card. It also comes pre loaded with Thinkfree Office which enables users to create and edit office documents on the go.

The key features & specifications of the ME U2 are:
·         Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)
·         7 inch Multi – touch Capacitive Screen
·         Next Generation Processor
·         ARM Mali-400GPU
·         Front camera for Video Chat
·         HDMI Port
·         Priced at $109 USD (399 AED).

The HCL ME V1 tablet has a sleek and slim Metal ID, combining fashion and sturdiness in an elegant form. It has a built-in voice calling, having the integrated phone functions of voice calling and integrated SIM slots. The V1 Tab even beats its similar competitors in the android tablet and phone category with its powerful features such as 1 GHz processor, Android 4.0, dual camera with LED flash, 1 GB DDR3 RAM and 8GB internal memory. It also has an integrated voice receiver, proximity sensor, and loud speakerphone enabling the tab to be used as a full fledged android smartphone. It has integrated Graphics enabling smooth graphics and gaming.

The key features and specifications of the ME V1 are:
·         Android 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich)
·         Next Generation 1GHz Cortex A8 Processor
·         7" inch multi touch capacitive screen
·         Enhanced Graphics
·         1GB DDR3 RAM, 8GB Internal storage expandable up to 32GB
·         Dual camera with LED Flash
·         Priced at $136 USD (499 AED)

The new ME Y3 tablet has a built in 3G high speed connectivity (HSUPA) through which one can surf the net, stream videos and play online games. The Y3 tab supports dual card SIM function, and both can be used for data or voice. The tab has a built-in GPS/A-GPS and it gives access to geo-position applications and mapping applications. It also has an integrated phone function, which enables one to get connected with friends and family through integrated voice call function, also enabling SMS, emails and chats on the go. The tab has a WIFI hotspot, where one can share their 3G connection with friends and other devices, with built-in WIFI hotspot feature. It has a powerful GPU and 1GB DDR3 RAM. It has HDMI connectivity, where the tab connects to external display with the built in Mini HDMI Port. The tab has huge memory, where one can keep and share videos, photos, games, through a built-in 8GB internal flash and externally expandable to 32GB MicroSD card.

The key features and specifications of the ME Y3 are:
·         Android 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich)
·         7 inch high resolution (1024 x 600) Multi – touch Capacitive Screen
·         1GB DDR3 RAM, External Expandable to 32GB
·         Dual camera
·         HDMI connectivity
·         8GB internal memory
·         Priced at $204 USD (749 AED)

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