Tesco has launched its new 7 inch HD tablet Hudl as it prepares for a ‘second curve‘ of digital consumers.
The £119 tablet – more expensive than was originally rumoured – boasts a 1.5GHz quad-core processor and a scratch-resistant 243 pixel screen. Battery life lasts nine hours and has 16GB of memory which can be extended to 48GB.
Hudl will run on the Android Jellybean 4.2.2 operating system with customers able to access a wide range of Google services as well as Tesco‘s choice of digital services including blinkbox movies and TV and Clubcard TV – (which offers free films and TV shows for Clubcard holders.)
However, the tablet will only use dual band Wi-Fi and not a 3G or 4G connection. According to OFCOM, three quarters of UK households do not have a tablet but Tesco believe that Hudl can change that statistic.
Tesco Chief Executive, Philip Clarke, commented, “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.”
Tesco say Hudl will allow it to have a single relationship with its customers – meaning it is designed to make them spend more money with Tesco than other retailers.
Mr Clarke, speaking in The Daily Telegraph today, said that everything about the school leaving generation will change the Tesco business.
“Just like the 60s, retail will evolve to meet the needs of the new consumer. There will be new retail led by people who are leaving school or starting college this year. There will be retailers that fade away because they don‘t or can‘t adapt and their customers desert them. The remainder will be those who adapted successfully.”
The Hudl goes on sale in around 1000 Tesco stores and online from 30th September.
