WePad Hopes To Rival iPad

A new tablet PC made by a German company is raising the stakes as it takes on its rival the Apple iPad, and promises better technology including a bigger screen, built in webcam and USB ports.

The new tablet computer is not being marketed as an “iPad killer” -- as some blogs have dubbed it -- but rather an alternative to the rival, says Helmut Hoffer von Ankershoffen, Neofonie GmbH's founder and managing director.

The tablet PC, named WePad, will allow connections to all sorts of devices via two USB ports, said Ankershoffen. No added software will be needed for those who want to add music to their WePad, unlike the iPad, which requires Apple software like iTunes.

The basic WePad will run Wi-Fi connectivity with 16-gigabyte storage. It is set to cost about $600 US dollars. The larger 32-gigabyte version with 3G capabilities will cost close to $900 US dollars. Compared to the iPad, Ankershoffen claims that the price is a bargain given that it has superior technology and greater openness.

WePad is powered by an Intel chip and utilizes Linux software that is compatible with Google’s Android and Flash applications, Ankershoffen said.

The Berlin-based company says it has about 20,000 people interested in signing up for pre-orders for the WePad, which goes on sale in late July. The pre-orders won’t officially be placed until April 27.

Although no sales estimate was offered, Ankershoffen said “not thousands, not tens of thousands but many more will be sold before the end of the year.”

The WePad is being cast as a tool for helping the media industry to find a way to market paid content and Neofonie hopes the WePad will appeal to publishers, some of which are not happy with Apple’s pricing guidelines and restrictions.

The device will allow publishers to sell their content on its platform without taking over the customer relationship, as Apple’s iTunes does, the company told The Associated Press.

Apple will release its iPad in late April in Germany, a full three months ahead of the release of the WePad, according to Neofonie’s website. However the German company remains confident that their tablet PC will outsell the American version.

Both companies will have to prove that their touch screen devices will not only amaze the tech-savvy users, but will also appeal to mainstream consumers during times when people are already connected to the Internet with a wide range of other devices, such as smartphones, laptops, and e-readers.

ΠΗΓΗ: www.redorbit.com