>>>xPad -- interesting word. I don't think it's a generic device yet, even though there are now many competing products. Apple has sold 15 million iPads since its introduction last spring. What is surprising is that no one has been able to match the iPad's price. Apple has never been known as a low price company, but they are in this case.
>>
>>You are spot on - I have been having stern internal discussion with myself wether to go for an iPad 1 at the reduced price...
>>Most of the better android pads seem to have higher prices for similar or even lower quality. The Asus pad with the separate keyboard and padstand including a second battery are currently foremost in my wish to get my fingers on such a device....
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>There hasn't been anything equivalent in the market until now. There were similar tablet products but nothing equivalent.
ACK fully - either lacking in power or less bang for the money (Galaxy Tab)
Now there is, in fact it's beefier than the iPad but the price will knock it right out of competition --
>Motorola Xoom:
>
http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,2053483,00.htmlAgain full ACK, too expensive and Motorola has an even worse rap than Samsung for being late to update OS on aleady sold devices - probably only Sony is in the same range as Motorola.
>Current iPad competition is toast (the Xoom is too new - it shouldn't even be on the list yet but it is):
Again full ACK on selling devices. My personal list on possible real rivals:
Asus Eee Transformer: INteresting concept if the docking is reliable enough for a couple of 1000 connect/disconnects without trouble. Otherwise well rounded machine with Tegra double Core, 720p/1280/800 screen, HDMI out, mini-USD at a price rumored to be significantly lower than iPad and other androids. Easy for me to say as i am used to carry additional battery packs for train rides on french TGV...
Dell 7' Streak as a no frills machine if they reach/hold a price 30% below weakest iPad2.
HTC Flyer might rival iPad 2 in bang for the money, but I think the time for pen-additve Pads is gone.
Sorry for not providing links, but Chrome currently rearranges my searches via google.de and sorts even preferred english results to the far end after lots of german texts - sigh, makes arguing for google android harder ;-)
regards
thomas
