Vizio unveils tablet, smartphone

IRVINE, Calif. - Vizio announced that it is entering the mobility category with a new smartphone and table device. The Via Phone and Via Tablet will be able to access apps from Vizio's network already available to multiple CE devices, the company reported.

"Both the Via phone and tablet feature the highest performance coupled with innovative features that tie them into the media consumption experience," said Matthew McRae, chief technology officer at Vizio.

The Via phone features a 1 GHz processor, 4" high-resolution capacitive touch screen, 802.11n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, GPS, a MicroSD card slot for memory expansion and HDMI output with HD video playback. It also features a front-facing camera for video chats and a 5 megapixel rear camera for photos and HD video capture.

The VIZIO Via tablet also features a 1 GHz processor, with an 8" high-resolution capacitive touch screen, 802.11n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, GPS, a MicroSD card slot for additional memory expansion, HDMI output with HD video playback, and a front-facing camera for video chats. It also boasts a unique three-speaker design for stereo audio in both portrait and landscape modes.