Verizon Launching a Branded 7-inch Tablet on Thursday

By Kevin Parrish
published

Verizon is launching the first device in its new Ellipsis line.

Verizon Wireless has updated its blog with news of the Verizon Ellipsis 7 tablet slated to arrive exclusively on the Big Red network. This is the first device in the company's Ellipsis family, and will be made available in both online and brick-and-mortar stores for $249.99 USD this Thursday, November 7.

According to the specs, the tablet will sport a 7-inch IPS screen with a 1280 x 800 resolution, backed by a quad core SoC clocked at 1.2 GHz, 1 GB of RAM and Google's Android 4.2.2 "Jelly Bean" operating system. The device will also provide 8 GB of internal storage, and a microSD card slot for adding even more storage.

The tablet will also have a 3.2MP camera on the back, a camera on the front (unknown size), and 4G LTE connectivity; also likely included is Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, and GPS. The device will come packed with Verizon Messages, allowing users to send and receive text messages from their tablet. Users can also send customized photos with collages for a more personal messaging experience, the blog states.

"The new Verizon Ellipsis 7 tablet offers users another option when shopping for a new fully featured tablet at an affordable price," writes Verizon's Albert Aydin. "Readers can download e-books using the Amazon Kindle app, and because of its size, the Ellipsis 7 is ideal to hold with one hand. Entertainment seekers, on the other hand, can use Redbox Instant by Verizon to watch their favorite movies when they are traveling, at the gym, or at home when someone else is using the TV."

Customers can get $100 off any tablet, including the Ellipsis 7, when purchasing with a new two-year contract, Aydin said. Of course that points the way to the company's Share Everything plans that allow customers to add a tablet to an existing account for $10 a month. Data packages range from 500 MB for $40 per month to 50 GB for $375 per month.

"With the holidays approaching, family members scattered across the country may want to stay in touch and exchange greetings," Aydin writes. "A front-facing camera combined with 4G LTE connectivity on the Ellipsis 7 makes video chatting with loved ones during holiday festivities fast and easy. Instead of passing the phone around, a family member can hold the tablet and get all the kids in one frame to greet an uncle or aunt face to face."

To get the complete list of specs, the tablet will be made available on Thursday.

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Kevin Parrish
10 Comments Comment from the forums
  • g-unit1111
    Meh, Sprint's charging $50 for the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 which has the exact same specs: http://shop.sprint.com/mysprint/shop/phone_details.jsp?ensembleId=SPH217STAB&flow=AAL&isDeeplinked=true&INTCID=AB:HERO:102313:Tab3:5:960x320
    Reply
  • InvalidError
    2013 seems to be the wrong year to release something similar to the short-lived $200 8GB N7-2012 for ~$250.
    Reply
  • Vigilence
    Wow is that thing overpriced for such specs. It's as overpriced as Verizon's internet packages.

    Watch the language. - G
    Reply
  • Haserath
    No wonder Verizon shot down the 2013 Nexus 7 from use on their network... They're offering something with much less everything for practically the same price.
    Reply
  • catswold
    Picture of the tablet with voice-over . . . "Vurison, we thrive on mediocrity. Get yesterday's technology today . . . at tomorrow's prices. You can always trust us here at Vurison."

    LOL!!!
    Reply
  • JD88
    Verizon is one of the worst companies in existence when it comes to doing what's right by the customer. They lie and try to scam the customer into buying tiered data packages for the sole purpose of charging more for the same service. AT&T is really not much better but at least they treat you like a human in their stores and let me upgrade on the line that I have my unlimited data plan grandfathered to.

    Verizon and AT&T don't actually compete, as they both offer the same service at the same price. Someone like Google really needs to launch a mobile data network to compete with the duopoly that exits. Maybe buy T-Mobile and dump about 10 billion into network infrastructure. Unlimited data plans $35 a month, no contracts. All phones sold off contract at off contract prices. Put the scum like Verizon out out of business.

    Reply
  • Darkk
    This is an open market. You are free to pick your carrier and phone choices. The snag is people don't do enough research to make an informed purchase.

    Complain all you want just remember you are the customer with a choice.
    Reply
  • gggplaya
    I hope that's typo which should read 5000MB per month for $40. Because $40 a month for 500MB is a huge ripoff.
    Reply
  • JD88
    11882393 said:
    This is an open market. You are free to pick your carrier and phone choices. The snag is people don't do enough research to make an informed purchase.

    Complain all you want just remember you are the customer with a choice.

    This isn't correct. There is very little choice because there are only two options that are exactly the same. It's not an open market because of barriers to entry like limited spectrum and the massive costs associated with cell infrastructure.

    Verizon and AT&T don't compete and the other players are too small and niche. Just look at the profit margins of both companies.



    Reply
  • g-unit1111
    11882393 said:
    This is an open market. You are free to pick your carrier and phone choices. The snag is people don't do enough research to make an informed purchase.

    Complain all you want just remember you are the customer with a choice.

    Picking a cell phone provider is like choosing a flight. Your options are limited to where you live and if you don't want to go with the big carriers then your options for choosing a smaller one are slim to nil.
    Reply