If price wasn't an issue, which would you rather own? The Android WePad or the Apple iPad?
The WePad is a tablet almost identical to the iPad. The biggest difference is that the WePad runs Android.
While the iPad will connect easily with iTunes and integrate seamlessly with other services such as the iBookstore and iPhoto, the WePad is built around the open operating system, Android made by Google.
Which one would you buy and why?
Specs from Ubergizmo
The WePad
The iPad
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M$9 Answers
If Apple thinks you don't need Flash, you don't get flash. If Apple doesn't think a webcam is handy, you don't get it. Simple as that.
While the iPad indeed is a great tie-in with iTunes and the rest of the Apple stack, the same can be said for the Google Android platform. Google integrates some of the most innovative programs out there, WAY more innovative than Apple. Google has online docs, maps, google search, and so very much more, AND allows users to choose other programs than Google progams!
So, for me it would be the wePad.
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M$Even as a little bit of a geek that has a soft spot for open source and likes to get under the hood of tech sometimes, the WePad would have to be lot cheaper than the iPad for it to be interesting to me.
There is a similar thing called the Touch Book that goes for $299. That's more like the price I'd be looking for.
https://www.alwaysinnovating.com/store/home.php
EDIT:
I see you re-wrote the question while I was answering it!
Now my answer doesn't entirely make sense. :)
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M$
I don't seem to be able to edit my comments any more, so I'm adding another one...
What goes for media companies goes for app developers also.
The lack of Flash is an annoyance, but not to the point of being a deal breaker. I'd want it most for video streaming, but the video streaming sites that are important to me have learned to play nice with Apple devices.
Now that you've put up the spec, another difference is apparent. The WePad is bigger and heavier. Heavier matters in a device like this, though hard to tell how much till you've held it. Even the iPad is a touch too heavy for my liking.
There are many other issues, which someone has nailed with their answer to another question here.
Of course "if price wasn't an issue" in life, I'd buy both and play with them both. :)
However, I suspect as usual Apple has hit the sweet spot of building something that has just the right feature set without extra bells and whistles that add complexity and cost that most people don't need.
Re bundling a subscription to well-known brands... who know what media companies will do? But if I was in charge of a newspaper my first priority would be the iPad. I'm more likely to get my content in front of more people, and make more money from it. And less likely to find it being file-shared by open source geek types.
Your answer still makes perfect sense! It's a good point - Apple relies on the integration of their products to make them all succeed. They spend a lot of time thinking about how everything works together.
But I don't know - Adobe Flash support alone would make me think twice about the WePad. If it was even a little cheaper, that would give it an edge.
What do you think about the hint on the company website that says this device could be branded? Do you see the Times selling digital editions with a bundled WePad when you subscribe for a year?
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M$Good question Rob, I'm interested to see what some other users say and what their reasoning is!
@tealmyster
Opinion
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M$
You know, there is a growing camp out there that agrees with you. A lot of the folks in this anti-Apple camp have firmly planted a tent on Android's land and are happily developing applications for it.
I think you're right - if you take the "cool out of Apple"... what are you really left with? If you've never tried Apple products and don't buy into the fact that they're easier to use as a group, I might be on your side.
Now, judging by the specs, I'll go with them.
Judging by the brand I'll go with Apple but I can't use it in Romania.
Therefore I'll wait for Sony to launch their tablet. And obviously it will have the specs and the brand. :D
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M$
@vladis... Get the wi-fi only version of iPad.
By the way iPads are not designed "mainly for USA customers". iPad should be on sale in Britain, France, Germany etc in late April.
Our providers for the moment made no statements that they are interested in providing this device and only one or 2 are selling iPhones with contracts. We use unlocked Iphones mainly, like most of the countries from Europe.
If you can't use Apple in Romania then how does the iPhone work? Or does Apple have some special agreement with cell providers over there?
Just curious ^_^
Oh I see....that makes sense I always forget about the option to unlock phones!
Thanks @vladis for clearing that up :)
iPad or Wep?
I like the iPad, simply because of the smaller and more compact, yet then again I think the WePad looks good, yet there is a better one coming out for Android and wait for it. I would forget the WePad. I will hopefully win an iPad, entering contests to win one, and then I'd go out and buy the Android, since it's able to run Flash, and there is one with a camera. Get the iPad, and if you need another one get Notion Ink's Adam.
Watch the video of the Notion Ink's Adam, it's thinner than iPad, and it has a camera. It also has at least 16 hours of battery life. I've even read somewhere that it's more like 24 hours of battery life.
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M$Apple blows away any other system. Think about it, iPod, iPhone, iTunes, we'd be years behind without Apple. The iPad is just another extension of the Apple brand and it will kick ass just like their other products.
Already ordered one and it arrives on April 3rd baby!
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M$
Hop on over to the iPad contest on Mahalo and win one! You can see my entry and vote for it here... http://www.tinyurl.com/curtsipad. I need more votes, help!!
I'm also an Apple guy - well mostly. I use a Macbook every day and think it's easily better than a PC. For me, most of my reason for liking my Apple stuff so much is that it just works - you're right.
But what about Android? Aren't these devices glorified ebook readers that can surf the web and play video? If so, I have to think that the one supporting Flash with a slightly better battery and webcam might have a chance against Apple's all-in-one style.
This comment may however be fueled by my inability to pre-order an iPad yet... I'm in Canada and know I will be a bit green with envy in a couple of weeks :)
I am a technology designer, and I realize that processor speed nor memory don't directly correlate with usage models, Consumer Experience is what matters. Thus I glanced at the tech specs, and say they are similar enough that it doesn't matter in my decision making process.
Situation 1 buy the iPad. I'd do this to figure out new usage models that it enables, and view the advancement of their technology. It will also help me understand how I can take the iPad experience and monetize it. Do I need it? No, but I could use it to make money. As a user of the iPad I would just use it after 30 days, it would integrate into my lifestyle.
Situation 2 buy the WePad. I'd buy this to see how close the experience is and to tinker around with it to understand the design. Specifically I'd evaluate how I feel after using it - is it a positive user experience or are there some key frustrations that would prevent me from recommending it to the average user. The android devices are nice - they're 'open platforms', but they're still limited for the average user (an average user used the device, non average hacks/modifies/writes code for it). After 30 days of owning it, it would most likely keep me thinking about how to make the device better, thus it would not be integrated into my life; my life would be modified to use it.
Both devices can help me learn new things, but the Apple mantra has been to help you learn, use and integrate their 'system' into your life.
Choosing one is all about understanding your personal wants and needs.
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M$
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M$
I own both a PS3 AND a Kindle, and luckily the Kindle has been breeched, allowing epub books to be read on it. I would really be bummed if I could only read books bought at Amazon for it, as Amazon has 'decided' to deliver ebooks free to their Kindles, but make all ebooks $2,50 (of thereabouts) more expensive outside the US. So, Amazon decides the business model, and I have to play along. I don't like that, new technology should make life better, not more restricted.
That's why I'll not buy an iPad/iPod/iPphone/iTable/iWall or whatever Apple will come up with next. I love my freedom too much.
Wow, 2 great points there, MIthrandir.
"If Apple thinks you don't need Flash, you don't get flash. "
That's the problem with all propitiatory systems, isn't it? Thinking about how much better the Sony PS3, Kindle and well every device that plays media could be, I have to attribute a lot of this back to DCMA laws and DRM functionality. What do you think?
"While the iPad indeed is a great tie-in with iTunes and the rest of the Apple stack, the same can be said for the Google Android platform."
You know, I never really thought about that but you're right. Google does have an integrated product line - it's just based in the cloud and online rather than in software. Interesting insight.
Oh, and DRM is the mother of all evil indeed.