Websoft, a Nigerian based Technology Company specialized in web mobile and enterprise applications, has brought to the market its own tablet device – the Vantium VI tablet, with the hopes of competing with giant tablets in the market: on the global scene – Apple’s iPad, Samsung’s Galaxy Tab, Amazon’s Kindle Fire and RIM’s Playbook, not forgetting Encipher’s Inye from the local scene.
According to the Johnson Dunmoye – Websoft’s co-founder, The Vantium v1 tablet having gone through 18 months in the pipeline, is expected to boost the tablet market in Africa and is also billed to be relevant to local consumers as it is preconfigured to operate the Microsoft Word, Excel and Power point. Dunmoye says it is designed for work and play at the same time. An edge over the iPad he mentioned includes the USB Port which allows for free movement of files unlike the iPad where you have to depend on iTunes.
It is designed to reduce the dependence on the laptop and in the long run replace it (refering to the post PC era), as the laptop has replaced the desktop. Then again, how true is that? Make no mistake. Vantium is a Websoft Brand, with products designed by Websoft and assembled in Asia with components sourced from different parts of the world (including Nigeria?) and quality assurance by a US company.
Dunmoye also claimed that despite the device being a tablet, it comes with the functionality of a laptop. Websoft, according to Dunmoye has partnered with African pay TV giants DSTV to allow subscribers view their favorite stations on the go with the device. Sure looks like we are back to the post-PC era again. Cool stuff though, you can watch your existing DSTV bouquet from the device after subscribing or better still if you don’t have a decoder, you can pay as low as N2, 000 to get connected. So you can watch all your favorite stations on the go right on the Vantium v1tablet PC. This he said is awaiting final approval from DSTV. In your face, KPad!
The Vantium v1 runs on the Android Ginger Bread operating system, this means applications can either be bought or gotten for free from the android store but Websoft says it is working on its own market. To oTeKReaders that say we are Android bias, we sure had to say in this.
What to expect in the nearest future?
The co-founder disclosed the company is working on an app market which will be called the Appville (let’s hope that name does not exist already). Websoft will also be providing the platform for African made applications that are hidden and lost in the Android market”
Head-To-Head
Dunmoye went further to make comparisons with the tablets in the market. No compromise was made on quality because the yardstick is out there – refering to the iPads, and Galaxy tab. Bragging rights? ‘Infact on some points it is even better. The screen uses the same technology as the iPad with a very smooth feel. The Vantium v1 memory is 1GB, which is double that of iPad2 memory. It can play HD videos because of the high powered processor used. On all features, the Vantium holds its ground and will always deliver.’ Sounds like it.
Ok I didn’t see this coming. Just like the iMessage and Blackberry ping the Vantium v1 tablet gives you the flexibility to chat with other owners of the device. The “intra” device chat platform will soon be put in place to accommodate other devices, with Research In Motion’s Blackberry the first to be introduced.
Features
- Size & Weight :248.8 x 189.7 x14.5 mm, 345g
- Display : 9.7-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit glossy widescreen
- Multi-Touch Display Capacitive Screen IPS Technology (Same as IPad2) 1024-by-768-pixel resolution
- Cellular & Wireless :HSPA +21 900/1900/2100 EDGE/GPRS 850/900/1800/1900 Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Dual-band support (2.4GHz, 5GHz)
- Memory :1GB (RAM), 16GB (ROM) + microSD Slot, I/O Interface USB2.0, Mini USB2.0 (OTG), 2 x Headphone, SIM Card port, 1x HDMI port
- Processor: 1.2 GHz Processor
- Battery :Built-in Lithium ion 3,500mAh battery
- Video Full HD video playback (1080p) @ 30fps
- Video codec: MPEG4, H.263, H.264, WMV, DivX, Xvid
- Audio Formats: MP3, OGG, AAC, WMA, WAV, FLAC
- Camera Front camera: 0.3 MP. Rear Camera: 2MP Camera
- Browser Android™ Browser Adobe® Flash® support
- Operating System Gingerbread Android™ 2.3.3 ( android 3.0 interface )
- Sensors Accelerometer 3D 4 Directions.
It’d be interesting to see a Viantium v1 – Inye relationship breed like the iPad – Galaxy Tab, as great products for users is one thing that will definitely come out of such a race. Let the games begin.
Updated:
The Vantium V1 goes for N80,000, and you can get the Leather Case with inbuilt keyboar for N10,000, and Open Office Software (Edit Excel, Word, Powerpoint files) for N6,000. Place Order Here
