Australian company Telstra launched Telstra T-Touch Tab today, dubbed as the "the most affordable wireless tablet from an Australian telco."

The Telstra T-Touch Tab is a light-weight tablet that combines mobile internet, online content, entertainment and phone-calling as well as access to over 80,000 apps from the Android Market. Telstra priced it at $299.

Telstra Executive Director Consumer, Ms Rebekah O'Flaherty, said the T-Touch Tab featured a 18-centimetre (7") touch screen which delivers great online entertainment, while being more compact than a laptop.

Ms. O'Flaherty said: "T-Touch Tab will suit Australians' appetite for quick and affordable access to information, useful apps and digital media wherever they may be."

"Created with Australian families in mind, the T-Touch Tab can be enjoyed individually or shared together, providing entertainment to all ages. From games that keep the kids amused, reading e-books, checking your email or catching the weather on the move, the possibilities are virtually endless"

Prior to Telstra T-Touch Tab launch, Telstra commissioned a research conducted online by Pure Profile this month on a representative sample of 1,003 Australians. Repondents aged over 18, coming from across Australia in both metropolitan and regional areas. Ms. O'Flaherty said that the research suggests three quarters of Australia's hobbyists are keen to use technology to help further their passion.

"Our research also has found that while many hobbyists pursue an interest for the mental stimulation, 75% wish they could better share their particular passion with family and friends," continued Ms. O'Flaherty.

"We think affordable mobile tablets like Telstra T-Touch TabTM will be great news for the majority of hobbyists who admit they want to devote more time to their passion, but can't due to lack of time and associated costs."

Starting on November 2, T-Touch Tab will be available from most Telstra Stores, Telstra Licensed stores, selected retailers and online. It can be purchased for $299 (Pre-Paid) including 3GB of data and $10 worth of start-up Talk/Text credit to use in Australia in the first 30 days.