WePad, the open Linux based Alternative to the Apple iPad debuts

Apr 13 2010, 1:54am CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

The Apple iPad could have a more difficult start in Germany because of the WePad. The WePad is a 11.6-inch Tablet that promises to be open and at the same time allowing publishers to have control over their content. The WePad also positions itself on the side of Adobe by supporting Flash and Adobe AIR.
The WePad runs a Linux OS that supports Android and Adobe AIR apps. Neofonie developed their own touchscreen user interface for the WePad OS. The WePad offers full functionality for web browsing, email, eBooks, music, video, games and more.

Besides the larger screen the WePad offers compared to the Apple iPad a webcam, 2 USB ports, a card reader, HDMI port and multitasking. The WePad runs on an Intel Atom N450 CPU with 1.66Ghz. The 11.6-inch tablet has a resolution of 1,366x768px. The weight is 800g, 120g more than the iPad, but the WePad offers an almost 2-inch larger screen. The WePad is supposed to offer 6 hours battery life, which is a considerably less than the iPad.

The 16GB Wifi WePad has a price of 449 Euro and the 32GB Wifi 3G WePad with Full HD support has a price-tag of 569 Euro. Carrier deals are planned.
The pre-ordering for the WePad starts April 27th and ith will ship in July/August timeframe. More details on the Neofonie site. Update: According German NTV there are already 20,000 pre-orders, but the WePad demoed at the press-conference was still just a prototype.

Germans are Apple fans, but they are also open source fans. It is really hard to say if the WePad can take on the iPad. A lot will depend on the German publishers and how the will support the WePad and the iPad.
Of course a problem for the WePad is that it ships a couple of months later than the iPad.

Update:
Watch a video of the WePad here.

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Luigi Lugmayr
Luigi is the founding chief Editor of I4U News and brings over 15 years experience in the technology field to the ever evolving and exciting world of gadgets. He started I4U News back in 2000 and evolved it into vibrant technology magazine.
Luigi can be contacted directly at ml@i4u.com. Luigi posts regularly on LuigiMe.com about his experience running I4U.