By Earlier today we learned that Google has its sights set on the tablet market with their own Andorid-based tablet device. While this announcement is sure to steal the limelight away from the WePad — which made quite a splash when first announced — pricing details and a release timeframe have emerged regarding the German-made tablet.
The tablet, which features almost everything the iPad does not (SD card slot, Flash, USB, and the Android Market) will be available at two price points in the same sleek finish. A 16GB wifi-only version weighs in at €449 while its 32GB counterpart sporting a full 1080P display, GPS, and 3G connectivity will have a price tag of €569.
The tablet will be available in Europe come July though there is no word on a US release. For the time being, this seems to be the Android tablet to beat, and many are touting it as a real competitor for the iPad. We’ll see how that holds up as more info comes in about the Google tablet.
[via CrunchGear]
What.,.,.!!!
europe man that sucks @$$
why is the UK first to get everything?
No webcam? Booooo….
wepad, isn’t that what is used to lay down on the floor to potty train puppies?
At today’s exchange rate, those prices translate to $609.90 for the 16GB/wifi model (vs. $499 for the 16GB/wifi iPad) and $772.89 for the 32GB/3G, (vs. $729 for the 32GB/3G iPad). Sorry, but–and I say this as a huge Android fan who very much wants something like this to succeed–the WePad doomed before it launches. Very few non-geeks are going to pay significantly more $$ for a new gadget from an untested foreign manufacturer when they could just buy an iPad instead. Particularly given the current shortcomings of Android Market vs. the App Store, the only way an Android tablet will be able to compete in the short run is by underselling Apple’s gadget by a significant margin.
If that symbol means this thing costs 569 euros, it’s dead at birth. If that symbol means this thing costs 569 Polish zlotys, it might have a chance.
@Logotic Thats euros and this thing will be way expensive in USD.
Actually, stuff us “value” priced in Europe. You can not expect an exact exchange rate conversion to determine it’s price in the USA. Go search for software in the USA and in the UK-note the differences for the same software…
I have friends in Ireland and on the UK who fly to NU for Christmas shopping and save money-and that includes the airfare…
Actually, stuff us “value” priced in Europe. You can not expect an exact exchange rate conversion to determine it’s price in the USA. Go search for software in the USA and in the UK-note the differences for the same software…
I have friends in Ireland and on the UK who fly to NYC for Christmas shopping and save money-and that includes the airfare…
just about as expensive as an ipad in europe.
the ipad equivalent of the €569 wepad is €729
and the ipad equivalent of the €449 wepad is €499
just so you know, android+USB+SD added for €50-€160 less doesn’t sound bad to me.
not to mention the fact that they called it the WE-pad just to mess with apple.
I think I’ve already seen enough of the use of “Pad” in the names of these things
Why do these people keep naming their tablets after tampons
Can the WePad still be used in the US?
@mplsnst The extra money you’re paying for this Pad is for all the EXTRA features you can’t get on the iPad… Flash alone is worth the extra cash, not to mention 1080P, SD card slot and USB… The iPad has a lot of growing up to do…
Its a bit costly.
1080p display really? I think it’s just 1080p capable (hdmi out).
The 11.6″ 1080p display alone would make me buy it for 569€. Add 3G, sd card, hdmi and usb… i’ll buy one the day it comes out.
But like i said, i doubt it’s 1080p. The only screen i know that sports a dpi like this is the new vaio-z series, which costs more than 4 wepads for a reason.
@just_me why couldnt it be 1080p? all it means is it has a resolution of 1,920×1,080 which is easily achivable
While I’ll wait to get my hands on it before judging things, it certainly specs out a lot better than the iPad. And not having to suffer Apple’s crummy closed system makes it better than the iPad already in my opinion (not to mention Android apps are growing at a faster rate than iPhone apps, and will almost certainly pass Apple by eventually).
Ha, I like the name. Totally funny snub at Apple and their “me, me, me” selfish titles.
BTW, it DOES have a webcam.
mplsnst you’re comparing converted EU prices with US prices.
that’s pointless.
electroncs like this are often very differently priced in the US.
a €1000 laptop here would cost me no more than €700 if i’d get it in america.
i already did some comparing of my own, and EU prices against EU prices say WePad is cheaper than IPad.
you dont need a built in cam. it has a normal usb plug in so you can daisy chain your own devices.
Anyways — you can actually watch hulu, or fancast in flash. wepad IN, ipad OUT.
@ rocco
How can you say that ? we don’t even have the Euro yet !
the only Android OS tablet to keep an eye on is the Notion Ink Adam (“e-ink” color display).
clarification: wePad does not run Android OS:
“The WePad is built on the WePad OS Linux-based operating system, which provides support for Android and Adobe AIR applications, amongst others. WePad OS is based on open source technologies. A current Linux distribution with its own touch-based user interface provides the basis for WePad OS. All applications are installed automatically and either run natively on the system or on a special layer.”
However, because of this, it can run Java, Linux, Adobe Air AND Android apps, which gives it a huge application portfolio, and a big advantage over other tablets.
Magicdroid is right, it’s not Android. And the way they’re phrasing all of it (“support for Android Applications”) sounds to me like they’re not including the Android Market – a no-brainer, if you ask me, since it’s not Android.
I wouldn’t be wanting to manually install all my Android Apps, let alone getting them to work on the WePad. I wouldn’t bet on it.
And I agree, it’s totally overpriced.
Prices in Europe are generally announced with VAT already included – which is very high over here (19% in Germany).
Subtract 19% and then convert to US$ and you’ll be a lot closer to the actual retail price in the US (although there are of course always marketing reasons for different prices).
I think the noton ink ‘Adam’ is far better than both ‘ipad’ and ‘wepad’ in specification and pricing..
I think the noton ink ‘Adam’ is far better than both ‘ipad’ and ‘wepad’ in specification and pricing..the battery backup of adam is just awesome..
I think the noton ink ‘Adam’ is far better than both ‘ipad’ and ‘wepad’ in specification and pricing..the battery backup of adam is just awesome..
I’d be willing to pay an extra $50 or so for an iPad alternative with a) USB ports (WePad has two) and b) opensource software. I’m sick of Apple products not letting me view my own media without running it through a warrenty-voiding convertor or jailbreak.
If 449 euros is the final selling price. It’s no since sending it to this side of the pound.
German prices are inclusive Tax of 19%, and other than in the US, if you export goods, even private, you will get back that 19%!!!
€ 449,-
– 19%
——-
€ 363,69 = $ 501,78
€ 569,-
– 19%
——-
€ 460,89 = $ 635,89
Look at that, better equiped and same and/or better prices than Ipad.;-)