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WePad Tablet Will Use Linux To Rival the iPad
cypherdtraitor writes with news of an iPad rival being prepped in Germany for a June launch. "A German company, Neofonie GmbH, has set out to provide an alternative to the iPad, according to Neofonie's founder, Helmut Hoffer von Ankershoffen. The WePad will boast a Linux-based OS, USB ports, webcam, and Wi-Fi, as well as other features. The 16GB edition will cost €449 ($610), and the 32GB €569 ($773). A more expensive model will include a 3G modem. This PDF compares WePad specs with the iPad. There are also hints of cheap, available software. For example, OpenOffice.org will be the primary office suite, and you may use 'any application that pleases you' to play music and video, a clear edge over Apple's limitation to iTunes." The WePad will also run Flash.
agree that tablets have been around long before the iPad, but none of them are like the iPad, and the iPad is innovative in its approach
If by "innovative in its approach" you mean charging the same as fully functional devices while only having half the functionality, you are correct. That isn't opinion, that is fact. Naturally, whether you think it is worth it or not is up to you.
That being said, I never thought I would see people ardently defending paying more for less, but people who love shiny things that do the same as stuff they already own have proven me wrong once again.
Living With a Nerd
. . . WePad is a pretty lame name. Why didn't name it after himself: Helmut-Hoffer-von-Ankershoffen-Pad?
Maybe he will get some inspiration from Monty Python ( http://www.swiss-miss.com/2007/08/the-german-baro.html ) for his next model, and call it:
Johann Gambolputty-de-von-Ausfern-schplenden-schlitter-crass-cren-bon-fried-digger-dingle-dangle-dongle-dungle-burstein-von-knacker-thrasher-apple-banger-horowitz-ticolensic-grander-knotty-spelltinkle-grandlich-grumblemeyer-spelter-wasser-kurstlich-himble-eisenbahnwagen-guten-abend-bitte-ein-nürnburger-bratwürstel-gespurten-mitz-weimache-luber-hundsfut-gumeraber-schönendanker-kalbsfleisch-mittleraucher-von-Hautkopft of Ulm . . . Pad.
Scene in Internet Cafe:
Waitress: "Hey, ist das ein iPad?"
Customer: "Nein, das ist ein Helmut-Hoffer-von-Ankershoffen-Pad!"
Waitress: "Oh, woulden you liken your Helmut-Hoffer-von-Ankershoffen-Pad mit our WLANen usen?"
Customer: "Ja, I woulden liken mein Helmut-Hoffer-von-Ankershoffen-Pad . . . "
. . . etc . . . und so weiter . . .
Wow, what will Nokia's upcoming Maemo N9000 be called . . . ?
Schroedinger's Brexit: The UK is both in and out of the EU at the same time!
"A German company, Neofonie GmbH, has set out to provide an alternative to the iPad, according to Neofonie's founder, Helmut Hoffer von Ausfern- schplenden- schlitter- crasscrenbon- fried- digger- dingle- dangle- dongle- dungle- burstein- von- knacker- thrasher- apple- banger- horowitz- ticolensic- grander- knotty- spelltinkle- grandlich- grumblemeyer- spelterwasser- kurstlich- himbleeisen- bahnwagen- gutenabend- bitte- ein- nürnburger- bratwustle- gerspurten- mitz- weimache- luber- hundsfut- gumberaber- shönedanker- kalbsfleisch- mittler- aucher von Hautkopft of Ulm? To do justice to this man, thought by many to be the greatest name in German Baroque music, we present a profile of Johann Gambolputty de von Ausfern- schplenden- schlitter- crasscrenbon- fried- digger- dingle- dangle- dongle- dungle- burstein- von- knacker- thrasher- apple- banger- horowitz- ticolensic- grander- knotty- spelltinkle- grandlich- grumblemeyer- spelterwasser- kurstlich- himbleeisen- bahnwagen- gutenabend- bitte- ein- nürnburger- bratwustle- gerspurten- mitz- weimache- luber- hundsfut- gumberaber- shönedanker- kalbsfleisch- mittler- aucher von Hautkopft of Ulm."