Quality computers launches glasses-free 3D tablet

Dubai-based Quality Computers Group has launched the world\'s first glasses-free 3D tablet PC in the UAE with advanced multimedia features. \"We understand the demand for glasses-free 3D for the home is increasing dramatically and we are proud to bring it first to the market,\" Vasant Menghani, managing director of Quality Computers Group, told exclusively to Gulf News. He said the 8-inch 1280*768 pixel Touchmate product runs on the Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) operating system powered by a 1GHz ARM Cortex A9 dual-core processor with a price tag of Dh1,699. According to Jeff Orr, group director, consumer research at ABI Research, a majority of new unbranded media tablets have been in the sub-$400 segment and this is expected to see significant growth of more than 60 per cent of the market by 2016 while the market for the over $400 segment is expected to shrink. He said the strong wave of growth in this segment over the next few years is expected to be driven in emerging markets. The trend in coming years is expected to be towards display sizes between seven and nine inches as smaller-sized media tablets provide better portability options for end-users. Many vendors have demonstrated 3D technology on tablets, but this is the first tablet to hit the market and it runs on the latest Google operating system. The system supports WiFi, HDMI and can be converted into 2D. The company launched its first tablet in October 2011 and expects to launch seven more models next month and a 10.1-inch tablet in May. Menghani said, \"The demand for tablets is huge in this region and the present product line-up of Apple and Samsung is very expensive for middle-class people. Our motto is that even the common man should be able to experience the power and benefits of tablets. \"We bank on innovation for growth. We have sold 5,000 units so far and our intention is to sell around 10,000 units this year. Our products are sold in 60 countries and in every major hypermarket in the UAE,\" he said. For the initial launch of the 3D tablets in April, the company has shipped in 300 units which will be sold locally and the next batch of 1,700 units will be distributed in the Gulf. They have also signed a contract with LuLu to sell the tablet in Kochi, India.