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Tesco officially calls time on the Hudl
Last week, it became apparent that Tesco wasn't gearing up to release a new low-cost Hudl tablet, as it had done in October in years past. When asked about the future of the Hudl brand, Tesco confirmed it had no current plans for a third-generation tablet, but it did say: "We continue to sell our Hudl2 and it remains a popular device with our customers." And so it appeared Tesco wasn't quite ready to call it quits on own-brand hardware, even if a new device wasn't in the cards, and probably never would be. A lot can change in a week, however, and it now looks like we've heard the last of Hudl, with Tesco no longer stocking its tablet in bricks-and-mortar and online stores.
Tesco's all but given up on its Hudl tablets
In early October 2013, Tesco launched its first own-brand Android tablet: the Hudl. Despite being deep into uncharted territory, the supermarket succeeded in delivering an extremely affordable, entry-level device. It wasn't a huge surprise, then, when Tesco followed it up a year later with the much-improved Hudl2, which also turned out to be great value for money. Since then, Tesco's kept quiet about its plans for future Hudl hardware, and early October has come and gone without a peep from the company. And while we can't be sure Tesco's completely given up on own-brand tablets -- never say never, after all -- it's looking increasingly likely we'll never see another Hudl tablet again.
Tesco Hudl2 review: The UK's best value tablet
A supermarket turned tablet maker doesn't sound like the wisest of career progressions. Tesco's not your average supermarket, though. When you consider the Tesco machine also operates video- and music-streaming services, an e-book store and an online emporium selling everything from garden furniture to jewelry, having a low-cost, own-brand tablet to publicise them on makes a considerable amount of sense. Amazon makes it work with a similar potpourri of digital properties, after all. Tesco first explored the idea with its £119 Hudl tablet, launched around this time last year. And, having shifted over three quarters of a million units during that period, it's hoping to keep the ball rolling with the new Hudl2, which boasts a bigger display, upgraded hardware, a more refined look and a similarly wallet-friendly £129 price tag. Tesco's still a fish in the tablet game, and yet, with the Hudl2, it's managed to deliver not just another great value product, but also the best affordable slate on the market right now.
Tesco cuts the price of its original Hudl tablet to £79
Tesco's Hudl2 tablet is now on sale, and as is typically the way when a next-gen product usurps its predecessor, the supermarket's cut the price of the first Hudl to just £79. When the Hudl2 was announced, Tesco said it would keep selling its first tablet, which launched at £119 before later being discounted to £99, until it had shifted all remaining stock. Now you can actually buy the Hudl2 for £129, Tesco's thought it best to make its other tablet a more attractive offer. It's now a year old, so you're not exactly getting 2014 hardware, but if you're after a couch-browsing companion or something for the kids to poke at, £79 is nothing to shrug at. It can also be picked up in-store or online for half that value in Tesco Clubcard points, so that's something to consider if you've got a loaded account and a tablet-sized hole in your life. If you're thinking the Hudl2 is more your bag, however, then keep your eyes peeled for our review of Tesco's new offering next week.
Hands-on with Tesco's Hudl2
Tesco announced its Hudl2 tablet today, and by now you already know what it's about and how it stacks up against the original Hudl. Well, we've had a chance to play around with the device, and it's immediately clear this is a significant upgrade. Despite a notably larger 8.3-inch screen, the Hudl2 saves on width and thickness, with a taller frame accommodating all those extra pixels. The chunky bezels of Tesco's first tablet have all but disappeared, giving the Hudl2 a much sleeker look that betrays its £129 price point.
Tesco's Hudl 2 tablet to be unveiled on October 3rd
In addition to announcing its smartphone plans had been put on ice, Tesco said at the start of September its second-generation Hudl tablet would be revealed in a matter of weeks. And today we've received a not-so-subtle invite from the supermarket chain for a morning event on October 3rd. Considering the invite is blazoned with the hashtag #Letshudl, it's pretty clear we'll be introduced to Tesco's next tablet on that date, and we'll be there to bring you the news. The supermarket's dedicated Hudl page now has a new section where you can register for updates on the Hudl 2, and a colour-changing banner also suggests the device will arrive in multiple hues, or will at least have several vibrant cases. Tesco already let slip the second-gen slate improves "on just about every area of its predecessor, from screen size to speed, design and accessories." One of the Hudl's best features was its low price-point, so let's hope this successor continues that trend and isn't marked up so Tesco can actually make some of the money it's been pulling out of thin air.
Tesco shelves its smartphone plans to focus on Hudl 2 tablet
Tesco makes its own affordable range of everyday products for penny-conscious consumers, and last year the supermarket extended this concept to tablets. The Hudl slate wasn't just cheap, but also the perfect vehicle for showcasing Tesco's various streaming services. Despite a few hardware teething problems, the Hudl has gone on to sell over half a million units, prompting the commission of a sequel earlier this year. Alongside the Hudl 2, Tesco also said it would launch an affordable Android smartphone, but now the chain's announced those plans have been shelved while it focuses on the new tablet, which is due out "in the next few weeks." As Robin Terrell, Group Multi-Channel Director at Tesco explains, since the plan was revealed "the mobile market has become even more competitive," leading the supermarket to "put the phone on hold."
