I am not sure whether you can really count on what the German tablet PC manufacturer Neofonie has announced recently. We still have in mind the Neofonie press conference in April when journalists could only watch but not touch the WeTab because the tablet PC being introduced was not working at that time. However, Neofonie has now confirmed that first WeTab devices have been handed out to developers for testing. The official launch of the WeTab in Germany should happen in the middle of September (probably on September 19th). Interested users can already pre-order the Neofonie tablet PC at the Amazon web store or at the Media Markt website. Amazon and Media Markt are both offering the WeTab for € 449.00 and the WeTab 3G for € 569.00.

The Linux-based WeTab tablet PC, which will also have the capability to run apps from the Android Market, is an alternative to the Apple iPad which is already available in the German market. It runs on an Intel Atom N450 CPU with 1.66 GHz and sports a 11.6-inch touch-screen with a resolution of 1,366 x 768 pixels, 16 GB or 32 GB NAND memory – depending on the model. Other differences between the two WeTab models: Only the WeTab 3G offers access to the Internet over the mobile network via GPRS, EDGE, UMTS or HSDPA, full HD support (1,280p) and an integrated GPS receiver for the use of location based services. With the basic model surfing the web is only possible via WiFi n. Other features of the WeTab include an HDMI output, two USB ports, an SD card reader and a 1.3-megapixel webcam. According to Neofonie, battery life is up to six hours which is less than the Apple iPad offers.

Some of the applications offered in the WeTab Store are: web browser with support for Flash, media player (including music playback directly from the smart card), web radio, photo album, file management, email program, e-Reader (all open and available formats including ePub and PDF), instant messaging program, VoIP and video telephony program, calendar, address book, task list and a large collection of games. Various newspapers and magazines from numerous publishing houses are also available for download from the WeTab Kiosk for a small fee. The WeMagazine Reader allows the reading of content and includes interactive content as well as the integrated WeFind search engine.

All the user’s content is synchronized with the complementary online storage area on the WeTab cloud servers. This also allows the user to access his or her data via other mobile devices.

Specifications of the WeTab tablet PC:
Screen: 11,6-inch touch-screen with 1,366 x 768 pixels resolution and multi-touch
Platform: Linux-based Meego
Processor: Intel Atom N450 Pineview-M with 1,66 GHz and 1 GB RAM
Memory: 16 GB / 32 GB, extension with SDHC Card up to 32 GB possible
Connectivity: Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR, WiFi a/b/g/n, optional 3G (HSDPA)
Expansion: 2 x USB integrated, Card reader, Audio output, SIM Card Slot, Multi-Pin Connector
Applications : WeTab Meta-Store integrates multiple stores, support for native, Java, Linux, Adobe Air and Android Apps
Supported Music Formats: MP3, WAV, OGG
Supported TV and Video Formats: H.264, AVI, WMV, DivX, MOV, OGG, FLV
Supported eBook formats: ePub, PDF, TXT, Mobipocket, WeBook premium format at Q4/10
Further Details: ambient light sensor, acceleration sensor, stereo internal microphone, webcam, GPS (model WeTab 3G)
Accessories: dock, case and sleeve, wireless keyboard, support for standard PC peripherals
Battery: up to 6 hrs
Size: 295 x195 x 15 mm
Weight: 800 g / 850 g (WeTab 3G)

Please also read:

• Overview of Prepaid Mobile Data Price Plans for Apple iPad Users
• Using the Apple iPad in German 3G Networks