Japanese ISP NEC Biglobe announced it will begin selling Internet tablets starting next year, with the company focusing on providing wireless service for the Camangi-made devices.
Specifically, the tablets will use the Google Android operating system, and the devices will be targeted more towards current NEC Biglobe Internet subscribers. The first "Cloud Device" reportedly has a 7-inch display supporting 800 x 480 resolution, Wi-Fi, 3G support, USB, and WiMax support, according to Tech-On! It has 200 x 120 x 14.5mm dimensions and weighs 380 grams.
The company expects to generate up to $111 million in revenue per year over the next three years from these services. The first step is to release the Cloud Device to test the Internet service. It also plans to open an online app store so developers can offer third-party programs for the Android OS.
If all goes according to plan, NEC Biglobe hopes to have as many as 200,000 subscribers using its Internet devices.
NEC Biglobe's parent company, NEC Corp., also is expected to release an Internet device sometime in 2010, as manufacturers find new revenue streams based on mobile devices.
There's no word yet on whether or not these tablet devices will make their way to North America or Europe.
Although netbooks have exploded in popularity over the past 24 months, wireless providers are now interested in tethering mobile service into the devices. In the United States, AT&T, Verizon Wireless, and Sprint-Nextel all have plans in which they subsidize the cost of a regular netbook as long as consumers agree to commit to 2-year contracts.
