Tesco takes on Amazon and Apple with £119 tablet

Supermarket giant Tesco is to launch a tablet computer next week in a bid to bring “the fun, convenience and excitement” of mobile internet devices to more people.

The tablet, dubbed Hudl, features a seven-inch high definition screen and will go on sale next Monday for £119, while Clubcard customers will be able to buy it for less than £100 by cashing in their vouchers.

Tesco will be hoping to win customers away from Apple’s iPad and Amazon’s Kindle devices. The cheapest iPad, the 7.9-inch Mini, costs £269, while prices for the Kindle Fire HD start at £159.

Chief executive Philip Clarke said: “Being online is an increasingly essential part of family life and whilst tablets are on the rise, usage is still quite limited.

“We feel the time is right for Tesco to help widen tablet ownership and bring the fun, convenience and excitement of tablets to even more customers across the UK. The digital revolution should be for the many, not for the few.”

Running on the Android operating system, the Hudl will let users download apps from Google’s online store, while in-built apps include Clubcard TV, which offers free films and TV programmes for holders of the retailer’s loyalty card.

The device is built in China by an unnamed manufacturer that also works with the likes of Blackberry, HP, Microsoft and Sony.