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Colorful HP Slate 6 VoiceTab Includes Free 2-year Data Plan
The HP Slate 7 VoiceTab redefined phablet for us. A 7-inch Android tablet that has full phone functions is pretty cool for the data-heavy user, but you're going to feel decidedly uncool when you're holding that massive slab up against the side of your face. If you're a perpetual Bluetooth headset wearer, you're not going to have this issue (or you just don't care how silly you look), but for everyone else, a slightly smaller device might be a bit more practical.
That's where the HP Slate 6 VoiceTab comes in. It has all the features of its big brother but in a 6-inch form factor instead. The Slate 6 does shave a few horizontal pixels with its 720p screen rather than the 1280 x 800, but it's still an IPS panel and you'll only have to pay €229 for it.
It runs Android 4.2.2 on a 1.2 GHz quad-core Marvell A9 SoC with 1 GB of RAM. It's not world-beating, but it's meant for those who would appreciate its dual-SIM capabilities. It's also a bargain when you consider that HP's throwing in 250 MB of data per month for two years. It's not enough data for the heavy user, but for those who quickly want to check something online when away from Wi-Fi, it's a pretty decent value. Those who want more data can buy more too.
The HP DataPass service is only available in France, Italy, Russia, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, and the UK. (For U.S. readers, T-Mobile has something similar for you.) HP's not building its own network, but rather riding off of someone else's. Either way, it's a smart move to get people hooked on Wi-Fi independence.
The Slate 6 VoiceTab smartly features a removable battery cover that opens the door (heh) for customizability options. Users can pick from an array of different colored backs, many of which definitely brighten up the look of the phone.
Sadly, it's not North America bound, but it's good to see HP back in the smartphone game after webOS.
Marcus Yam served as Tom's Hardware News Director during 2008-2014. He entered tech media in the late 90s and fondly remembers the days when an overclocked Celeron 300A and Voodoo2 SLI comprised a gaming rig with the ultimate street cred.
