Immediately after Apple launched the iPad, to great success, two companies, one in India and the other in Germany have come out with their own versions of the iPad. We are gonna focus our attention on the German one; the WePad.
BERLIN, Germany (AP) --
The German maker of a new tablet PC is setting out to rival Apple's iPad with the promise of even more technology such as a bigger screen, a webcam and USB ports.
It is not, however, an "iPad killer" as it has been dubbed by some blogs but an alternative to its bigger rival, Neofonie GmbH's founder and managing director Helmut Hoffer von Ankershoffen told reporters on Monday in Berlin.
Ankershoffen stressed the system's openness: Two USB ports allow users to connect all kinds of devices with the WePad, from external keyboards to data sticks.
People who want to put music on their WePad do not have to have any particular software, Ankershoffen said — a blow at Apple's devices that require particular Apple software like iTunes.
The WePad's basic version, which comes with Wi-Fi and 16-gigabyte storage, is set to cost euro449 ($600), the larger 32-gigabyte version with a fast 3G modem is euro569 ($750.).
Ankershoffen claimed that given its technological superiority and greater openness, "that's a bargain compared with the iPad."
The iPad — which hit stores in the U.S. less than a month ago — is on sale there starting at $499 for the smallest version, coming with Wi-Fi and a 16 GB storage.
The WePad, with its 11.6-inch screen, is powered by an Intel chip and relies on a Linux software basis which is compatible with Google's Android and all Flash applications, Ankershoffen said. It also has a web cam, SD card reader and a SIM card slot.
When it hits stores starting late July, it will also boast a complete open source office package, he said.
The machine will hit stores in September in the US, probably November in Puerto Rico.
Will you buy a WePad, an iPad or the Norton Ink Adam?
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