HTC plans to launch three tablet PCs in early 2Q 2011.The Flyer first.

Image via CrunchBase

WorldWideTech & Science: Francisco De Jesús.

HTC plans to launch three tablet PCs in the first half of 2011 with the first model, the Flyer, to begin shipping in the US market in March, according to sources at handset component suppliers. The Flyer, which looks like an enlarged version of HTC's Desire smartphone, will run on Android 2.3.

HTC will launch the Flyer tablets in cooperation with a telecom carrier, aiming to push sales ahead the planned launch of RIM's PlayBook in March and Motorola's Xoom in April, the sources noted.

Users will be able to upgrade the OS to Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) whenever the new OS is available, indicated the sources.

The Flyer will be available in other markets starting the second quarter of 2011. HTC is expected to launch the two other tablets in June running on Android 3.0, added the sources.